King's College International School Bangkok is set to open its new teaching and learning complex in 2024 with teachers who graduated from renowned universities, following its successful Senior School opening in 2021.
King's Bangkok is expected to complete the complex with an investment budget of more than 1 billion baht and usable space of 70,000 square metres in August 2024, aiming to become a leading school in Asia.
The project is crucial to maintaining the school's momentum in preparing students for the world's top universities, said Prof Sakorn Suksriwong, founding chairman of King's Bangkok.
"We always look to invest in two things, the best teachers, and the best facilities and environment. We have a number of teachers who have studied at the world's best universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge. We also have teachers who taught at leading schools in several countries prior to joining King's Bangkok," he said.
"In this way, we strive to provide the best facilities and environment, equipment and technology for these world-class teachers to deliver excellent teaching and learning experiences for our students. With such experience, our students will not only be happy to learn from the best, but also be inspired to go further.
"I look forward to the opening of the new building to carry on the exceptional educational experience for students until they leave the school for their universities."
"We have always aimed to be one of the best schools in Asia. In our first year, we provided state-of-the-art facilities, including an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, an air-conditioned sports hall with three basketball courts, 18 music rooms, and a modern 625-seat auditorium. We also dedicated separate facilities, such as a swimming pool, playground and multipurpose hall, exclusively for the Early Years students," said Thomas Banyard, founding head of the school.
"Last year, we opened a new learning centre for the Senior School students, equipped with various classrooms, labs, learning spaces and a seminar hall.
"I am pleased to announce that the final component of our ambitious plan, the latest and most modern teaching and learning complex, will be ready to open in August 2024. We have always valued feedback from teachers, parents and students, and since our establishment in 2020, we have received excellent feedback in all areas, especially regarding our top-notch facilities."
Sarah Raffray, executive principal of King's Bangkok, is confident that the new complex will establish King's Bangkok as a world-class educational hub.
"Having served as the headteacher at St Augustine's Priory, one of Europe's oldest girls' schools, and as Chair of the Society of Heads, a community of prestigious schools, I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with several leading independent schools in the UK. The King's Bangkok campus is exceptional. The addition of the new 22,000 sq m teaching and learning complex will comprehensively establish King's Bangkok as one of the world's best school campuses," said Mrs Raffray.
"A top-tier campus is not only defined by the quality of its facilities and the safe environment that it creates, but also by the thoughtful approach to design that gives our pupils opportunities for connectivity. We know that the emotional intelligence of our pupils and their ability to work together will set them apart in the future, and our new complex has been designed with this in mind," she said.
"Each area seamlessly integrates co-working areas and classrooms, giving the students the space to connect and grow. We will have a campus that supports our students to follow whichever path they choose."
The new complex consists of the following:
The Sixth Form Centre, a dedicated space for senior school students with a supportive and productive environment, catering to studying, homework, collaborations, teamwork, networking, socialising, as well as career, leadership and personal development.
The dining hall and modern library, and co-working and co-living spaces between them.
18 science labs and six Design & Technology spaces equipped with the latest technology.
Art studios equipped with the latest technology and creative equipment together with a dedicated easel studio where exhibitions can be displayed.
A soundproof ensemble hall for orchestral performances and music classrooms, including a recording studio.
A new sports hall and second fitness centre.
High-speed lifts and 16 escalators.
As King's Bangkok continues to set new standards in education and is committed to providing its students with the best opportunities for personal and academic growth, the completion of the new teaching and learning complex is the next step in fulfilling this commitment.
