Statement of Non-Discrimination


The British International School, Phuket is committed to the ideal of diversity in its student body and staff. BIS does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in the admission and future conduct towards its students or in the recruitment, employment, promotion and retirement of its staff.

Admission Periods

New pupils are usually admitted in August. Entries may be accepted at other times of the year and will be considered on an individual basis. However, usually no entries will not be accepted into the Sixth Form after Term 1 unless the student comes from another IB World School and has followed a similar programme. Only in exceptional circumstances will any other entry into the Sixth form be accepted after Term 1.

Applications for admission to the school are considered at any time through the school year whether for immediate entry, entry for the start of the following academic year or, through the Early Registration programme, for entry at some future date.

The school does not admit any new pupil into Years 11 or 13 (except in very special circumstances and where the pupil has been following a curriculum very similar to that of BIS and has performed well in his or her previous school and, in the case of Y11 students, in the BIS entrance tests.

Applicants who are only intending to stay at the school for less than one term will not normally be considered.

Age, Academic and Language Regulations

Normally admission to the school is through classes Nursery to Y10 and Y12, at the required age of entry as shown here:

 

Nursery

Reception

Y1

Y2

Y3

Y4

Y5

Y6

Y7

Y8

Y9

Y10

Y11

Y12

Y13

Min age

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Max age

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Pupils will only be placed outside their chronological age group in exceptional circumstances. May be placed up to one academic year below their chronological age. BIS classes fully differentiate for a wide range of pupil abilities. For a child to be placed in the academic year above their chronological age, they need to be working 2 years above average levels of attainment in the relevant age group and satisfy other personal/social criteria.


Pupils will be eligible for admission to Year 7, 8, 9 or Year 10, if:

  • they are not older than 12, 13,14 or 15 respectively.
  • their English ability is acceptable (they must sit a paper in English and give an oral interview during the entrance test)
  • heir performances in the General Aptitude and Mathematics papers are acceptable.

Unless special circumstances can be identified, the school does not admit pupils who are older than 17.

In cases where students are not native English speakers, it is important that they have followed an English curriculum in an English or International school. If the level of written and/or spoken English is not yet at the required level, Secondary students may be offered a place on the Intensive English Course (IEC) which begins in April, in preparation for an August entry to mainstream education at BIS. Successful graduation from the IEC should enable the student to enter the academic year most appropriate to their age and ability.

Lack of English language ability rarely affects acceptance into the Nursery and Reception age groups as all pupils are learning the rudiments of the language. However, applicants for Y1-6 must possess sufficient levels of spoken English and understanding in order to access the learning opportunities offered by BIS. These expectations increase in each year group, along with the need to possess basic reading and writing skills.

Applicants who show potential to prosper from learning in the Primary School, but currently lack the required levels of English, may be offered a place in the Shelter Class (accepting Y3-6 aged

pupils). Transfer to the mainstream classes will depend upon meeting the required standards of attainment. Year 6 pupils applying in Term 3 would be assessed for the IEC.

For entry onto the IB programme it is recommended that non-native speakers have followed an English curriculum for a minimum of 3 years

Application Form and Documentation

All applicants must fill in the Application Form and return it with the necessary documentation (photos, school report, House Registration Document, Copy Passports) and the Application & Testing Fee, to the Admissions Department. We need to have the original Application Form.

Photocopies or faxes are only acceptable at the initial stage.

Applicants must submit at or before the time of the entrance test:

  • completed application form
  • copies of recent school reports(both academic and pastoral) spanning the entire year prior to entry(officially translated into English)
  • six passport-size photographs:
  • the Application Fee, currently 4,200 bt. for entry to Early Years and 7,200 bt. for entry to Year 1 and above

other documents (copy of passport etc.) as indicated on the application form.

Entrance Test, Interview and Previous School(s) records

All applicants must take the BIS entrance test. The testing and visiting time takes 3 to 4 hours for Secondary, about 1 to 3 hours for Primary and about half an hour for early years. Subjects examined will include General Aptitude, Mathematical Ability, English Ability and Language Ability. However the following students applying for entry into the Sixth Form will normally be exempt from entrance tests:

  • Students coming from other IB World schools and having completed successfully a pre IB Diploma programme

  • Students with six IGCSE/GCSE or O level passes.

The pupil's performance in the entrance test is a very important factor in the school's decision to admit the pupil, but past performance in previous schools and other relevant factors such as the pupil's age and the term of entry will also be considered in arriving at the final decision to admit or reject the pupil. Up-to-date, detailed information from a previous school will usually result in a more rapid decision being made on admission.

Interviews will be arranged as appropriate with all or some of the following: Headmaster, Head of Secondary, Head of Primary, relevant Head of Section/Key Stage Coordinator, Director of Boarding, Head of Department, Educational Psychologist, Guidance Counsellor, Learning Support teacher or ESL teacher.

Appointments should be made with the Admissions Office.

Conditional offers of entry may be made in appropriate circumstances. Entrance tests are held at the school or in the Bangkok office by appointment only. Please telephone the school for an appointment. Pupils will not be allowed to take the entrance test unless the original Application Form with any school reports, other required documents and the Testing Fee have been received. Pupils should not arrive at the school for an entrance test without prior arrangement.

A final decision on admission to BIS will only be made after the relevant members of staff in Phuket have interviewed the pupil.

The school also requires authorisation to make contact with the applicant's current/previous school to discuss the applicant's overall performance in more detail.

Place Offer

A decision on whether or not to offer a place should normally be made available within 3 working days of the test date unless otherwise advised. This decision will be delayed by incomplete applications or a lack of information from the previous school. Parents who are unhappy with the decision made by the Head of Primary/Secondary may ask for the decision to be reviewed. After this, they may refer the matter to the Head of School.

In cases where year groups are full, parents may be advised that their son/daughter has been placed on a waiting list and that re-testing may be necessary at a later date when places become available. It is therefore advisable that applications are made as early as possible.

The Admissions Office will notify the applicant's family of the Entrance Test outcome, normally within three working days of the test being taken.

For applicants being offered a place at the school, the Admissions Office will mail to the parents/guardians the official Offer Letter along with two copies of the Contract, one copy of which needs to be signed and returned to the school. The offer will have validity for one month.

Pupils who defer an offer of a place, or who have been placed a waiting list, may have to re-test before being admitted. This is automatic if entry is sought more than one year after the date of the original entrance tests. No extra application fee will be charged for pupils asked to re-test within the year, or for those who have been on a waiting list.

General Guidance

Applicants should read carefully the prospectus and other documents provided by the school to ensure a full and proper understanding of the programmes offered by the school. Questions are welcome at any time. In applying for the school applicants are accepting the policies of the school.

We encourage parents and students to visit the campus wherever possible in order to see the school in action and to meet teachers and pupils.

Prior to any Entrance Test, it is important that the school be made aware of any matters that may have a bearing on our ability to meet the needs of the applicant and therefore on our decision whether or not to offer a place.

Applicants who wish to accept an offer of a place must pay the Entrance Fee, Endowment fee, Tuition Fee and any other fees due for the first term of placement at the Finance Office within the given deadline in order to secure their place. Once the fees have been received, the student's place is confirmed and (s)he is eligible to attend classes. For immediate entry fees will need to be paid immediately.