Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Visiting ISS

We welcome families to our school throughout the year. Our admissions team is happy to arrange a school visit whilst you are visiting the island or a virtual tour via Google Meet if you have not yet arrived on the Island. We understand that parents relocating to Koh Samui may do so at any time of the year. Our largest intake of new students is generally at the beginning of the academic year in August. However, new pupils may start their education at ISS at any point in the school year. Where possible a visit should be arranged by booking an appointment. This can be done by email, social media or phone +66 77484548. English, Thai Russian and Chinese Languages are spoken. However, we are always on hand to welcome families wishing to see the school and talk about their children's education. Walk-in visitors can present themselves at the security gate and request to see a member of the Admissions Team.



Trial Days @ ISS

We welcome potential students to try out our school free of charge. Trial days may take place over a few days up to a couple of weeks. Trial days can be an important time to understand what a British "ethos" school can offer and for students unfamiliar with the British education system to feel at ease in their new surroundings. Trial days do not oblige you to make any long-term commitment to the school. If you would like your child/ren to try out our school for free please do not hesitate to contact the admissions team.



Acceptance of a place at ISS

Upon acceptance of a place at ISS the school will require the following forms and documents to be submitted for each student attending school: ​ Application Form Medical Form Previous School Report Copy of Child/ren’s Passport with Visa Entry Stamps Copy of Parents’ Passports with Visa Entry Stamps Copy of Child/ren’s Birth Certificate (with English translation) 2 Passport photos of child/ren
A place is only considered secured once the Security Deposit, Joining Fee and 1st Term's school fees have been paid.



Schools @ ISS

Our Early Years caters for children from 2 to 4 years of age, there are 2 classes which are called: Ladybirds (ages 2-3 years) and Busy Bees (ages 3-4 years). Students' progress follows the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) learning goals.
Our Primary School caters for children from 4 to 11 years of age - there are 7 classes from Reception (ages 4-5 years) to Year 6 (ages 10-11 years). Students' progress is measured by the Attainment Levels of the England and Wales National Curriculum. (British Curriculum of Education) Our Senior School caters for children from 11 to 16 years of age - there are 5 classes from Year 7 (ages 11-12 years) to Year 11 (ages 15-16 years). Students complete their education with the highly regarded iGCSE certificate. (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) Our Sixth Form caters for children from 16 to 18 years of age - there are 2 classes. Year 12 (ages 16-17 years) and Year 13 (ages 17-18 years). Students complete their education with the highly regarded Cambridge A Levels.



Terms @ ISS

There are 3 academic terms at ISS which follow the school calendar of other international British schools around the World and independent British schools. ​ Term 1 - starts in mid-August and finishes in mid-December. Term 2 - starts in early January and finishes in mid-April. Term 3 - begins at the end of April and finishes at the end of June.



School Hours

Senior School The school day begins at 9:20 am and finishes at 3:30 pm After school activities (ECAs) run from 8:30 - 9:15 pm Monday to Thursday Primary School
The school day begins at 8:30 am and finishes at 2:30 pm
After school activities (ECAs) run from 2:45 - 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday Early Years The school day begins at 8:30 am and finishes at 2:30 pm There are no after school activities (ECAs) but there is a babysitting club from 2:30 - 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday



Subjects - Early Years

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Physical Development Communication and language Literacy & Phonics Mathematics & Numeracy Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design Physical Education Outdoor Play Gardening Drama & Role Play Movement & Dance Information Technology Thai Mandarin Music



Subjects - Primary School

Literacy & English Mathematics Topic & Thematic Learning Science Geography History Drama Information Technology & Coding Physical Education Dance & Movement Swimming Team Sports Art Music Thai Mandarin Spanish EAL (English as an Additional Language) PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education)



Subjects - Senior School

Mathematics Further Mathematics English Literature English Language English as 2nd Language Chemistry Biology Physics Computing & Robotics Business Studies Geography History Drama Thai Language & Culture Mandarin Spanish Music Art Design & Technology (Textiles, Sewing & Cooking) Physical Education Swimming Team Sports (Games) Well-being & Mindfulness PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education)



Curriculum

The curriculum at ISS is planned and taught in accordance with the
British Curriculum albeit with an International theme. It is an extensive and stimulating curriculum covering a wide range of subjects and skills supported by our accreditation with the University of Cambridge as a Cambridge International Examinations Centre. Our curriculum is supported by outstanding teachers who are recruited from the United Kingdom, have a minimum of 2 years teaching experience and a PGCE, B Ed, M Ed or equivalent specialist UK recognised teaching qualification. Please visit our dedicated curriculum website for more detailed information.



Assessment, Reports & Graduation

Assessments take place regularly throughout the year by means of continous assessment, tests, verbal assessments, group and individual work and tasks and end of year formal examinations. In the Primary School, children are informally assessed continuously and in every lesson. This assessment helps to inform teachers' planning for next lesson and helps teachers to personalise their support in the classroom. At the end of every term, teachers’ assessments in the different areas of Reading, Writing and Maths are shared with parents in the form of a score which reflects the extent to which each child has mastered the year's curriculum. Students receive a graduation certifcate on the completion of their studies in the Primary School in Year 6. This graduation certificate is handed out at Speech Day in the Summer term. In the Senior School students are assessed against UK National Curriculum Levels in Years 7 to 9, IGCSE marking criteria in Year 10 and 11, and GCE A Level marking criteria in Year 12 and 13. Formal assessments take place 5 times across the academic year, with reports produced twice in Term 1, and once each in Terms 2 and 3.



Teaching Support

At ISS we are able to offer our pupils bespoke one-to-one teaching support for students who require dedicated learning support.
Our well-trained teaching support staff receive regular PD workshops as well as regular English tuition and are a key resource in supporting our students’ well-being.
Provision for students with specific special educational needs (SEN) normally require a detailed assessment before any bespoke support can be offered, normally on a 1:1 basis.



Extra-Curricular Activities

ISS offers a wide-range of after school Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) in the Senior & Primary schools. Students are encouraged to take part in some after-school clubs but these are optional.

The club schedule for Senior and Primary school changes each term. Some ECAs incur a charge if run by an outside provider. Payment for ECAs should be done at the beginning of each term in the Accounts Office. ECAs are allocated on a first come first serve basis and changes can only take place after 1 week of the first club beginning.



Communication

At ISS we are proud to have in place good communication links between home and school. We communicate with parents on a day-to-day basis to inform parents of events and activities taking place via email and typed letters. Social media, twitter, facebook and Instagram also form a strong link between school and home. Parents will be invited to parents’ evenings where they have the opportunity to meet class or subject teachers once a term. Teachers will be available most mornings between 8:15am to 8:25am for a parent to drop in and have a quick chat. Email communication can take place between parents and teachers. The school endeavours to communicate regularly with parents on curricular, co-curricular, sport and community events. The school has many information boards displaying results, awards, clubs, news and general information around its campus. In the Senior School students have a specific tutor whom they meet every morning during registration time where they may discuss pastoral, world or school issues. The same tutor will lead one to one meetings with a tutee to discuss emotional, social, pastoral and academic progress and/or concerns. Parents can refer to the school website for up to date information on curriculum and weekly homework schedules which have been set.



Social Media & Internet Safety

The school takes an active role in social media to communicate information to parents and interested parents about what’s going on around the school. The social media network is managed by our marketing team. This platform is regulated and checked daily for content and posts.
ISS is proud to be a digital-safe zone.
The school has in place a number of internet safety filters to prevent any student from inadvertently or purposefully accessing inappropriate information or webpages online.
During the school working day students throughout the school are forbidden to have access to any personal devices such as phones, smartphones or iPads. Laptops are allowed for students in the Senior School. For students who bring devices to school there are secure lockers available to deposit their devices. For any emergency calls students can go to the school secretary who will call the parents/guardians.



Graduating From ISS

We work very closely with our graduating students and their families to provide them with a varied and extensive range of schools offering both A-Levels and/or the IB-Diploma once they have completed their iGCSE Certificate at the end of Year 11, or direct university entry after A Levels at the end of Year 13. We fully support parents with their choice of education after ISS and we will work closely with their chosen establishment to ensure a smooth transition. Full support is offered from Year 10 up to support either an application to their chosen University, or entry into the world of work. Using the highly regarded Unifrog system, students research both career paths, and university courses to make informed choices for their futures.



School Fees

Fees are paid in Thai Baht in 3 termly payments of 40%, 30% and 30% respectively. Fees are due 2 months before the start of each term. Siblings' discounts are available for 2nd and subsequent children. Fees paid up front for the whole year benefit from a 5% discount. A non-refundable joining fee of 75,000 Baht is payable for the first 2 children in a family, commonly known as a capital levy in many international schools, this fee goes towards long term capital investment in the school's facilities. A refundable security bond of 75,000 Baht per child is payable upon acceptance of a place at ISS – this fee acts as a security to the school and is refundable once 1 term’s notice has been given in writing prior to departure from the school. ​ Fees include all teaching materials, school resources, textbooks, workbooks, stationery, lunch, morning snack, field trips and accident insurance.



Safeguarding and Security

ISS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students under its care. All teachers at ISS undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks. The school has 24 hour surveillance CCTV, two central entrance gates with combination codes and a security guard on duty every school day. There is a lifeguard on duty for all swimming lessons and all after school activity providers are supported and supervised by a member of the ISS teaching staff.



Subjects - Sixth Form

A Level subject options: Biology Business Studies Chemistry Classical Studies Computer Science Economics English Language English Literature Geography History History of Art Mathematics Physics Politics Psychology Sociology AS Level Thinking Skills