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(Back: from left to right) Mr. Waris Jirayus, Vice MD of VLC Group and NLCS Phuket; Mr. Ali Aliev, Business Development Director of NLCS International
(Front: from left to right) Mr. Naruj Jirayus, Managing Director of VLC Group and NLCS Phuket; Mr. Daniel Lewis, Managing Director of NLCS International
Phuket, Thailand – 14 May 2026 – NLCS International has signed an agreement with VLC Group, the owner of several premium hotels and resorts in Phuket and Khao Lak, to develop NLCS Phuket International School, bringing the educational model of one of the United Kingdom’s highest-ranked independent schools to Thailand’s rapidly growing international education market.
Founded in 1850 by pioneering educator Frances Mary Buss, North London Collegiate School (NLCS) is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most respected and successful independent schools. In The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, NLCS received the awards for Independent Secondary School of the Year, Independent International Baccalaureate School of the Year, and Independent Secondary School of the Year in London. The school was also ranked the number one girls’ school in the UK, second among all schools in London, and third nationally across all schools in the United Kingdom.
NLCS Phuket International School will offer education from early years through to Year 13 and is being developed as a premium co-educational day and boarding school. Located in Cherngtalay, one of Phuket’s fastest-growing residential districts, the school aims to serve Thai, expatriate, and international families seeking a rigorous British-style education in Phuket, while also providing boarding opportunities for students from across Thailand and the wider region.
The signing ceremony took place at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort, with Mr. Daniel Lewis, Managing Director of NLCS International, and Mr. Naruj Jirayus, Managing Director of VLC Group and NLCS Phuket, signing on behalf of their respective organisations.
“Many families already see Phuket as a province with an outstanding quality of life, but until now there has been a gap in the market for a school that delivers exceptional academic excellence with a direct connection to one of the UK’s leading educational institutions,” said Mr. Naruj Jirayus, Managing Director of VLC Group.
“As a family business that grew out of Phuket, we see education as an important part of the island’s next stage of development. Our goal is to help make Phuket an even more complete destination for living, learning, and community building,” he added.
NLCS International partners with institutions worldwide to develop schools that reflect the philosophy of the founding school, including academic ambition, personalised pastoral care, and a broad co-curricular programme. The NLCS network currently includes NLCS Jeju, NLCS Dubai, NLCS (Singapore), NLCS Kobe, and NLCS Hong Kong, which is scheduled to open in 2027.
Mr. Naruj Jirayus, Managing Director of VLC Group and NLCS Phuket
Mr. Daniel Lewis, Managing Director of NLCS International
“NLCS Phuket represents another important milestone for our international family of schools,” said Mr. Daniel Lewis, Managing Director of NLCS International. “Our mission is to provide an education that promotes academic excellence within a joyful and inspiring environment that values every student’s individuality and nurtures a genuine love of learning. This is not simply about placing a well-known name above the school entrance. The strength of NLCS lies in the connections between our schools, the quality and depth of academic support, and our shared belief that happy and confident students are the ones best prepared for future success.”
The boarding programme will be one of the key pillars of NLCS Phuket, enabling families to access an NLCS education without needing to send their children overseas. It will also strengthen Phuket’s position as a regional education hub, allowing students to remain closer to their families, home countries, and major Asian travel connections.
High academic standards and a well-rounded education are at the heart of NLCS Phuket.
The school is expected to accommodate approximately 1,000 students in its initial phase, with the potential to expand to around 1,500 students in the future. Planned facilities include student boarding houses, separate primary and secondary school zones, science and technology buildings, a 50-metre swimming pool, sports gymnasium, indoor tennis courts, and football fields.
The announcement comes amid continued growth in Thailand’s international education sector, which is increasingly expanding beyond Bangkok. According to the Kasikorn Research Centre, Thailand’s international school business is projected to grow by 9.7% in 2025, while the number of international students is expected to rise by 8.3%. The report also highlighted that international schools are likely to expand further into provincial areas, with Phuket identified as one of the region’s key markets.
For Phuket, the arrival of a leading day and boarding school represents another important component in strengthening the island’s family infrastructure. International schools also play a significant role in attracting long-term residents, skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, while supporting demand across the residential, tourism and hospitality, retail, transportation, local services, and employment sectors.
North London Collegiate School Phuket is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028.
Mr. Naruj added, “Leading schools often become the centre of the communities around them. We have already seen this happen in places such as Dubai and Jeju Island, where the education sector has played a major role in shaping those destinations into internationally minded residential hubs. With NLCS Phuket, we want to support Phuket’s development into a regional centre of educational excellence.”
NLCS Phuket will maintain close ties with the global NLCS network and will receive support from NLCS International in areas including school design, curriculum development, staff recruitment, teacher professional development, academic planning, and educational quality assurance.
Members of the Jirayus family, owners of VLC Group based in Phuket and developers of the NLCS Phuket project, from left to right: Mr. Naruj Jirayus; Mr. Waris Jirayus; Mr. Somnuek Jirayus; Ms. Nantana Wongsatayanon; Mr. Somboon Jirayus, Chairman of VLC Group; Mr. Chanon Wongsatayanon; and Ms. Napitra Jirayus.
Further details regarding admissions, the school opening timeline, and project development will be announced in due course.
For enquiries and additional information, please contact: enquiries@nlcs-phuket.com
For more information, please visit: NLCS Phuket Official Website