Been to HH 5-6 times over past 7-8 years and been thinking aboutmoving out there for a year or two now, but the main thing that's been holding me back is lack of education facilities for my kids (girl of 11 and boy of 14). I've seen the posts re the new International School but even if it happens (and I share the caution in other postings) it won't provide for the ages of my kids.
So (i) what's opinions re those schools in HH, and (ii) what else is within reaching distance (and I discount BK from that) ?
Can anyone help/advise ?
Jim
schools in and around Hua Hin
Hi Jim, welcome to the board - since nobody has answered you I'll have a crack. At the current time there is no international school in Hua Hin, the closest two are Somtawin and Yamsaard, neither of which are of the same standard you'll find in Bangkok. There are topics on both in this section.
Someone came on and plugged a new 'international school' recently but gave very little information so take that as you will.
There is more info on schools in general in the area here:
http://www.expathuahin.com/schools-huahin.php
Someone came on and plugged a new 'international school' recently but gave very little information so take that as you will.
There is more info on schools in general in the area here:
http://www.expathuahin.com/schools-huahin.php
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
An international school?
Buksi, it is interesting that the forum you mention. . The "new international school" in Hua Hin seems to have died. (The last post there is an unnecessary correction of the term English "public schools". . which even us non-Brits know refers to expensive/exclusive private schools like Harrow and Eton and not to "state" schools.)
Now, there is such a thing as "home-schooling" in the states and I wonder if and how this would fit into the current British education system. If much of the classroom work is focused on passing external exams, this could be done on a very small scale indeed.
One alternative for the OP would be to pull together a number of parents here in Hua Hin (via HHAD?) who have kids the same age, organize a "home school" and hire a teacher or two. Something along the lines of a private tutor shared by several families. No, I don't know what laws or regulations would apply ( with regards to either country) but it would definitely be an area I would look at very closely if I were in the same boat as the OP.
I used to get regular phone calls from parents like the OP when I was running the IELP program at Stamford (which was in English and which also accepted non-traditional students.) We had, as I previously reported, frequent discussions about expanding into an actual high school.. .but the critical mass was not there.( Neither was the interest of the administrators who scrapped the entire program and have now headed for Bangkok.)
And this is what I think the OP is going to run into. There is definitely a need for a good International School and International High School here in Hua Hin. . but so far just not enough students to make it feasable.
Now, there is such a thing as "home-schooling" in the states and I wonder if and how this would fit into the current British education system. If much of the classroom work is focused on passing external exams, this could be done on a very small scale indeed.
One alternative for the OP would be to pull together a number of parents here in Hua Hin (via HHAD?) who have kids the same age, organize a "home school" and hire a teacher or two. Something along the lines of a private tutor shared by several families. No, I don't know what laws or regulations would apply ( with regards to either country) but it would definitely be an area I would look at very closely if I were in the same boat as the OP.
I used to get regular phone calls from parents like the OP when I was running the IELP program at Stamford (which was in English and which also accepted non-traditional students.) We had, as I previously reported, frequent discussions about expanding into an actual high school.. .but the critical mass was not there.( Neither was the interest of the administrators who scrapped the entire program and have now headed for Bangkok.)
And this is what I think the OP is going to run into. There is definitely a need for a good International School and International High School here in Hua Hin. . but so far just not enough students to make it feasable.
I've lived in Hua Hin for nearly 4 years and have a Thai/British daughter who's three. I am a teacher and so have put alot of thought into Natalie's education. I can just about afford all the options of independent schools in the Uk or here in Hua Hin or Bangkok or just comprehensive or government schools - or variations of those. Of course the problem of education is compounded by lifestyle preferences, what Natalie really wants/needs etc.
So far I have decided to start her at Yam Sa Aard School here in Hua Hin. I have visited a number of times with Natalie and have spoken to teachers, the principle and admin and all seem very helpful and to have similar ideas on education to me and Natalie. However, if we stay in Hua Hin for more than three more years, I will start to teach her from the British key skills syllabus from home in tandem with her studies at Yam Sa Aard School. It is possible to buy the British Key skills curriculum online from cgpbooks.co.uk.
As a jazz musician myself, I have been interested in nurturing Natalie's performance skills and if her interest continues until she is 10, we will audition for a place at a theatre stage school in London.
So what I'm really saying is that if you think carefully about what you want and about what your child wants and needs, and in stages, you will certainly be able to work something out to fit you. It need not be a one size fits all schooling.
So far I have decided to start her at Yam Sa Aard School here in Hua Hin. I have visited a number of times with Natalie and have spoken to teachers, the principle and admin and all seem very helpful and to have similar ideas on education to me and Natalie. However, if we stay in Hua Hin for more than three more years, I will start to teach her from the British key skills syllabus from home in tandem with her studies at Yam Sa Aard School. It is possible to buy the British Key skills curriculum online from cgpbooks.co.uk.
As a jazz musician myself, I have been interested in nurturing Natalie's performance skills and if her interest continues until she is 10, we will audition for a place at a theatre stage school in London.
So what I'm really saying is that if you think carefully about what you want and about what your child wants and needs, and in stages, you will certainly be able to work something out to fit you. It need not be a one size fits all schooling.
I can only say from personal experience and I've only visited the new campus of Somtawin School on one occasion. For me the difference was more with what I got as a parent rather than the education side of things. At Somtawin it took a long time to get permission to visit the school and even when I did, we weren't allowed into the classroom even briefly. My Thai stepson goes to the Thai part of Somtawin and we never receive any information about school holidays and only a days notice about important school events. There are never any parents open days where parents can discuss their childs reports etc.
At YamSaAard the first time I visited I got an extensive tour around the school and was told to come back anytime. I asked if we could visit a class in progress and after speaking to a few teachers, the school called me back the same day to tell me that they had said I could come in to watch anytime without notice, no problem. Once I sent an email query about milk and meal times and received a reply from the principle (Salinder Dasandra) the next day. The last time we visited, I requested to have a word with the principle before paying fees and once again within 5 minutes got a reply to come along in about an hour. So, it feels good as a parent. For young children they have a brilliant educational playroom for rainy/over sunny days, and the school library is excellent. They have a dance studio, art studio and music room with about 14 keyboards. I think you get unbeatable value for money with such a package.
However, they are only now expanding into the upper years and many parents decide to go to Somtawin at 11+. Perhaps this is also because they would rather their children study solely in English at that time.
At YamSaAard the first time I visited I got an extensive tour around the school and was told to come back anytime. I asked if we could visit a class in progress and after speaking to a few teachers, the school called me back the same day to tell me that they had said I could come in to watch anytime without notice, no problem. Once I sent an email query about milk and meal times and received a reply from the principle (Salinder Dasandra) the next day. The last time we visited, I requested to have a word with the principle before paying fees and once again within 5 minutes got a reply to come along in about an hour. So, it feels good as a parent. For young children they have a brilliant educational playroom for rainy/over sunny days, and the school library is excellent. They have a dance studio, art studio and music room with about 14 keyboards. I think you get unbeatable value for money with such a package.
However, they are only now expanding into the upper years and many parents decide to go to Somtawin at 11+. Perhaps this is also because they would rather their children study solely in English at that time.
It was my daughter's first day in K1 at Yam sa ard school today. I was very disappointed as her English teacher was not in class today, she was away until Thursday on a visa run. Not a good start! Surely it should be a priority to make sure that all teaching staff are around on the first day of term.
This rather unfortunately tells me two things, firstly she doesn't yet have a non Immigrant B visa and therefore is working illegally, and secondly there is no provision for covering English teachers who are away for any reason.
I shall continue to monitor this first term closely like a diary. I hope it will be useful not only for myself but for prospective parents alike.
This rather unfortunately tells me two things, firstly she doesn't yet have a non Immigrant B visa and therefore is working illegally, and secondly there is no provision for covering English teachers who are away for any reason.
I shall continue to monitor this first term closely like a diary. I hope it will be useful not only for myself but for prospective parents alike.
I've had my daughter at Yamsaard for 18 months and been impressed with the facilities and the openness. Unfortunately at more than 100,000 thb per year it's now too much with the dip in the UK pound. Had our child been more gifted I might have made the investment. Now, though, I need to get her English up to speed before sending her back.
One problem I have with this school. They overload the children with testing and homework and the English questions sometimes require a level of understanding that seems more suited to 10+ than 7+. This creates a lot of stress for the child and tension in the house, which lead to some bed wetting by our daughter (happily resolved). If your child is Thai you need to understand that lessons and homework are primarily conducted in English. Very difficult if the child's level is basic.
Who had to fill the educational gap? Me!
The curriculum is demanding and the school expects parents to also act as teachers at home. I was not ready for this.
One or two teachers were not competent and there is a regular turnover of 'falang' teachers.
There is a snack bar which is simply a profit centre. Nothing nutritional at all and loading children with sugar, we know, is not going to help them settle and study. School meals are also provided.
We've moved our daughter to Somtawin to give ourselves and her a break. From having no English at 7 to being almost fluent at 8 is quite an achievement but I need to sit with her and teach her to read English. Not enough time is spent on this IMO. Once she's reading to a competent level I will definitely reconsider sending her back to Yamsaard. For all its failings she enjoyed her time there and the staff were a pleasure to work with. The pool is great, the annual shows were terrific and the level of bullying was minimal.
If your child's English reading and writing is at a good level, they should do very well at this school. If not, be prepared to have to pitch in.
Only one other negative. The children are not taught to think nor do they have time to do so. I believe this will produce some fine robotic minds but little vision.
One problem I have with this school. They overload the children with testing and homework and the English questions sometimes require a level of understanding that seems more suited to 10+ than 7+. This creates a lot of stress for the child and tension in the house, which lead to some bed wetting by our daughter (happily resolved). If your child is Thai you need to understand that lessons and homework are primarily conducted in English. Very difficult if the child's level is basic.
Who had to fill the educational gap? Me!
The curriculum is demanding and the school expects parents to also act as teachers at home. I was not ready for this. One or two teachers were not competent and there is a regular turnover of 'falang' teachers.
There is a snack bar which is simply a profit centre. Nothing nutritional at all and loading children with sugar, we know, is not going to help them settle and study. School meals are also provided.
We've moved our daughter to Somtawin to give ourselves and her a break. From having no English at 7 to being almost fluent at 8 is quite an achievement but I need to sit with her and teach her to read English. Not enough time is spent on this IMO. Once she's reading to a competent level I will definitely reconsider sending her back to Yamsaard. For all its failings she enjoyed her time there and the staff were a pleasure to work with. The pool is great, the annual shows were terrific and the level of bullying was minimal.
If your child's English reading and writing is at a good level, they should do very well at this school. If not, be prepared to have to pitch in.
Only one other negative. The children are not taught to think nor do they have time to do so. I believe this will produce some fine robotic minds but little vision.
After some disappointment yesterday, day 2 has started well. Yesterday, I spoke of my disappointment to the principle and this morning we have a substitute English teacher until the allocated one returns. All staff were very apologetic and at the end of the day I'm just pleased that they have acted to do something about it.
Mr Plum, have you sent your daughter to the Thai part of Somtawin on Petchakasem Rd, or the, equally costing, Somtawin English program 15 kilometres away? I was a bit confused about what you said about helping her with reading. Is it that she is completing her education in Thai and then you are spending more time helping her read English at home, or that she is at the Somtawin English Program and they spend more time helping with reading there?
Thanks for the info about the snack bar at Yamsaard I'll speak to her teacher about that, however, at 3yrs old we don't give her any money anyway.
Lastly, I suspect that children probably have more chance coping with the level and amount of English homework if they attended all the way through from K1 to P1 etc. Most Thai English programs underachieve because the children enter late and there is no provision to help them get up to speed, hence parents have to bare the heavy load!
Good luck!
Mr Plum, have you sent your daughter to the Thai part of Somtawin on Petchakasem Rd, or the, equally costing, Somtawin English program 15 kilometres away? I was a bit confused about what you said about helping her with reading. Is it that she is completing her education in Thai and then you are spending more time helping her read English at home, or that she is at the Somtawin English Program and they spend more time helping with reading there?
Thanks for the info about the snack bar at Yamsaard I'll speak to her teacher about that, however, at 3yrs old we don't give her any money anyway.
Lastly, I suspect that children probably have more chance coping with the level and amount of English homework if they attended all the way through from K1 to P1 etc. Most Thai English programs underachieve because the children enter late and there is no provision to help them get up to speed, hence parents have to bare the heavy load!
Good luck!
Things seem to have settled down this week. On Friday of last week, Natalie's English home room teacher handed parents a letter that she'd written which summarises her background, qualifications and what she plans to teach the children and with what kinds of resources. It also welcomes parents to come and chat at anytime.
However, what I would like to find out this week is the percentage of English to Thai teaching. Last week everytime I came to pick up Natalie the Thai teacher was teaching. Of course this is probably because it's the time of day when she learns about Thai and Thai culture. I was also a little irritated by the lack of display stuff around the school in English and the vast amount in Thai. I shall also point this out to the program co-ordinator. A bilingual school should have bilingual displays.
However, what I would like to find out this week is the percentage of English to Thai teaching. Last week everytime I came to pick up Natalie the Thai teacher was teaching. Of course this is probably because it's the time of day when she learns about Thai and Thai culture. I was also a little irritated by the lack of display stuff around the school in English and the vast amount in Thai. I shall also point this out to the program co-ordinator. A bilingual school should have bilingual displays.