SPGS International School Bangkok has celebrated its founding, marking an important milestone for the school’s growing community. The celebration also highlighted its connection to the educational traditions of St Paul’s Girls’ School in London.
For families exploring international education in Thailand, the school’s opening introduces a new option with established British educational roots. Meanwhile, its development offers an example of how an international school can adapt a recognised educational ethos to a different community.
The founding celebration took place on 25 September, bringing together school leaders and representatives from the wider SPGS network.
SPGS Bangkok Joins A Growing International School Network
The school opened on 25 August 2026 and is the newest member of the SPGS International network.
It joins SPGS International School Chengdu, which opened in 2021. Furthermore, SPGS International School Singapore is scheduled to open in January 2027.
The celebration was attended by High Mistress Liz Hewer, Simon Wathen, Chair of Governors, and Sara Brazendale, Managing Director of SPGS International.
Their presence highlighted the partnership between the London school and its international counterpart. It also marked the beginning of a new community in Bangkok.
For parents, the development of this network offers an opportunity to understand how the school intends to bring its educational approach to students beyond the UK.
Bringing The St Paul’s Girls’ School Ethos To Bangkok
A central theme of the celebration was the relationship between the Bangkok campus and its London counterpart.
Mrs Hewer noted the similarities between the two campuses, including the Marble, Brook Green Café and Great Hall.
“This is not a school that has simply borrowed the name of St Paul’s Girls’ School, this is a school that has been built, quite deliberately, on its ethos and character.”
The statement highlights an important distinction. Establishing an international school involves more than adopting the name and appearance of an existing institution.
Instead, the challenge lies in creating an educational environment that reflects its founding values while responding to the needs of a different student community.
For SPGS Bangkok, this means developing an identity rooted in the London school’s traditions while establishing its own place in Thailand.
Experienced Leadership Supports The School’s Development
The school’s educational direction will be shaped by leaders with direct experience of St Paul’s Girls’ School.
Founding Head Leigh O’Hara and Alex Perdikis, who leads learning and teaching in the Senior School, both bring experience of leadership and teaching at SPGS.
Their understanding of the institution’s educational approach provides a foundation for the Bangkok school’s development.
However, transferring an educational ethos requires more than familiarity with its history. School leaders must also understand the expectations, experiences and aspirations of the students they serve.
The ability to adapt established teaching approaches to a new community will therefore be important as the school grows.
Celebrating A Lasting Love Of Learning
Students contributed musical performances during the founding celebration, bringing the school community together through the arts.
Guests also heard from Old Paulina Ms Piyabhida Sucharitkul, who shared memories of attending St Paul’s Girls’ School in the 1950s.
She reflected on how her education developed a lasting love of learning and a joy of discovery.
Her contribution connected the institution’s history with its newest international community. Moreover, it demonstrated how educational experiences can influence individuals long after they leave the classroom.
For students, opportunities to engage with different generations and experiences can help build a stronger sense of belonging.
International Collaboration Creates Opportunities For Students
As SPGS Bangkok develops, its relationship with the London school could create opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
The founding celebration highlighted the potential for both communities to learn from and with one another.
Such connections can help students encounter different perspectives and develop a broader understanding of education across cultures.
Additionally, collaboration between schools can create opportunities for educators to share experiences and approaches to teaching.
However, the long-term value of these partnerships will depend on how they develop in practice. Meaningful exchanges must become part of school life rather than remain an aspiration.
What SPGS Bangkok’s Founding Means For Families
The opening of SPGS Bangkok adds another institution to Thailand’s international education landscape.
For parents, the school’s connection to St Paul’s Girls’ School offers an important starting point when exploring its educational identity. However, families will also want to understand its curriculum, teaching approach, student support and wider school experience.
Meanwhile, educators and school leaders can follow how the institution balances its established traditions with the needs of an international community.
Ultimately, the founding celebration marks the beginning of a longer journey. As SPGS Bangkok grows, its development will show how successfully it translates its educational ethos into everyday learning experiences for students in Thailand.
