On the evening of December 3rd, a major event shook Thailand's international education circle

—Bangkok's VERSO International School announced it will transform into Wycombe Abbey International School Bangkok after the current academic year.

As a representative among the first batch of parents to attend the Q&A session on December 4th,

 I want to share the most comprehensive and objective information with you immediately to help everyone view this change rationally and make the decision that best suits their child.

1. What Exactly Happened?

Let's clarify the facts first:

Official Announcement:

*   VERSO will transform into Wycombe Abbey International School Bangkok after the 2025-2026 academic year (June 2026).

*   This will be Wycombe Abbey's first school in Thailand.

*   All curricula and operations remain unchanged for the current academic year.

*   The school commits to retaining existing faculty and staff as much as possible.

Background Information:

*  What is Wycombe Abbey's Pedigree?** This UK girls' school has a 129-year history, frequently ranking at the top in *The Times* UK school league tables. 

Over the past decade, an average of 28% of its graduates entered Oxford or Cambridge, with another 15% choosing Ivy League universities in the US, and 42% entering global Top 10 universities.

*  Global Footprint:** 3 schools in Mainland China (Changzhou/Hangzhou/Nanjing), 2 in Hong Kong, first school in Thailand, campuses in Singapore/South Korea under development.

2. Key Insights from the Q&A Session

At yesterday's Q&A session, three core members of BE Education's management were present:

*   William Vanbergen - Founder & Chairman of BE Education

*   Dez Yuan - Vice President of BE Education

*   Tig Mooney - Education Director, Wycombe Abbey International (Asia)

Key Points:

1.  Not the First Time:BE Education previously successfully transformed the "Oxford International School" in Changzhou into a Wycombe Abbey, growing student numbers from 100 to 800+. This experience serves as a model.

2.  Established Asian Network: Currently operates 5 campuses in Mainland China (Changzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing) and Hong Kong, with new campuses soon in Singapore and Seoul. 38% of graduates enter global Top 10 universities.

3.  Massive Facility Investment:BE Education's investment in education is serious—USD 220 million in Hong Kong, Singapore project on a similar scale. 

William clearly stated that VERSO's facilities (especially the two swimming pools) impressed the Chairman from the UK headquarters.

4.  Curriculum Integration: Gradual, Not Revolutionary (Parents' top concern). Tig Mooney repeatedly emphasized: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." Their strategy is:

    *   Retain VERSO's existing strengths (especially Project-Based Learning - PBL).

    *   Introduce the British curriculum system (IGCSE and A-Level) on this foundation.

    *   Implement gradual reform, not a complete overhaul.

5.  Fee Policy:

    *   Current Students:** Tuition policy remains unchanged for the next 3 years.

    *   New Students:** Fees subject to approval by the Thai Ministry of Education, but will reference other top-tier British-brand school pricing.

6.  Management Team Stability: Tig Mooney explicitly stated he would be based long-term, at least until the first cohort graduates or longer. BE Education, as a group, 

has a robust talent development and promotion system. William himself has over 20 years in education investment.

7.  Teacher Recruitment Standards: No particular preference for teachers of a specific nationality. The core standard is "excellent teaching ability."Will continue recruiting excellent teachers from the UK, US, Australia, etc.

8.  Language Policy:

    *   English as the primary language of instruction.

    *   Thai language courses retained (to meet Thai Ministry of Education requirements).

    *   Chinese language courses offered.

    *   Considering adding a third language like Spanish in the future.

9.  Boarding Options:** Will offer flexible boarding schemes:

    *   Full Boarding

    *   Weekly Boarding (Monday-Friday)

    *   Day School

10. Inter-Campus Exchange Opportunities:

    *   Short-term:** Summer camps, short-term exchanges with China and Hong Kong campuses.

    *   Long-term Transfer:** Priority application to other campuses if families relocate.

    *   Scholarship Program:** BE Education funds 50 UK students annually to study at Asian campuses for 2 years.

3. Parents' Top 5 Deep-seated Questions

Q1: Will Project-Based Learning (PBL) be retained?

Answer: Yes, and it's a core commitment.

Tig's own daughter studies at the Changzhou campus; one reason she chose boarding was the PBL program giving her exciting projects every weekend instead of rote memorization. 

William also stressed that his three children attend their schools precisely for this type of education.

Q2: Will it become purely exam-oriented British-style education?

Answer: No, but it will be more structured.

Wycombe Abbey's philosophy is "Happy children do well."Their campuses in China have proven they can integrate the strengths of Chinese curricula with international ones, 

maintaining both innovativeness and academic rigor.

Q3: Why is VERSO making this change?

My observations:

*   Enrollment Pressure:** Parent feedback suggests VERSO faced bottlenecks in student numbers.

*   Brand Recognition:** Lacked distinct brand identity among Bangkok's many international schools.

*   University Pathways:** The PBL philosophy is good, but parents also need clear university pathways (IGCSE/A-Level).

*   Long-term Development:** Partnership with an established education group provides resources and management support.

Q4: Compared to other British brands like Dulwich, Harrow, what are the advantages?

William's candid answer:

*   Facility Advantage:** VERSO's existing top-tier facilities (especially the two pools, sports fields) are unique.

*   Brand Prestige:** Wycombe Abbey's UK ranking rivals Eton and Harrow.

*   Academic Results:** Existing Asian campuses see 38% entering Top 10 universities, quickly catching up to the UK mother school's 42%.

*   Holistic Education:** Not just academics; 100+ extracurricular activities, emphasis on sports, arts, leadership.

Q5: Will current teachers leave? Can American-education-background teachers adapt?

Official Stance:** Aim to retain the existing team as much as possible while bringing in more resources. Evaluation standard is "excellent teaching ability,"不限国籍背景 regardless of nationality/background.

My Observation:** Some teachers will inevitably choose to leave, common in any transition. But BE Education emphasizes **"good teachers."** Whether from American or British backgrounds, excellent educators can adapt. The key is whether the school provides sufficient training and support.

4. Personal Advice from Senior Column

For Current Parents:

Advice 1: Stay Calm, Observe, Dig Deeper

Don't rush. Please:

1.  Attend all information sessions organized by the school in the coming weeks.

2.  Carefully review the curriculum plan and transition plan the school will release.

3.  Have in-depth conversations with your child:

    a. What does your child love most about VERSO?

    b. What is your child's learning style?

    c. What are future university goals?

Advice 2: Clarify Your Educational Goals

Ask yourself:

*   Why did I originally choose VERSO? (PBL? Small classes? Warm community?)

*   Can Wycombe Abbey provide these?

*   Is adding the British curriculum and university pathways a plus or minus?

Advice 3: Consider Your Child's Age/Grade Level

*   Kindergarten - Lower Primary:** Relatively smaller impact, strong adaptability at this age.

*   Primary - Middle School:** Need close attention to curriculum衔接, especially if child is already adapted to PBL.

*   Upper Grades (G9+):** Possibly the most impacted if already enrolled; need to assess pros/cons of switching curriculum systems.

Advice 4: Utilize the 3-Year Tuition Freeze Window

With the promised 3-year tuition freeze, you have ample time to observe:

*   Year 1 (2025-2026):Observe how smoothly the transition is managed.

*   Year 2 (2026-2027): Evaluate the new system's effectiveness.

*   Year 3 (2027-2028): Decide whether to continue.

For Parents Considering Enrollment:

Advice 1: Pause or Proceed? Depends on Your Needs.

If you value:

✅British Curriculum System– This change is beneficial.

✅Prestigious School Brand – Wycombe Abbey's background is a plus.

✅Clear University Pathways– IGCSE/A-Level recognized by 160+ countries.

✅Pure PBL Philosophy – Need to wait and see how the new school balances it.

Advice 2: Visit the School In Person

*   Schedule a private campus tour.

*   Request to see more detailed curriculum plans.

*   Talk extensively with current parents.

Advice 3: Keep Backup Options

Before the final curriculum plan is released, consider exploring 1-2 alternative schools. Bangkok has many excellent international schools;

 different educational philosophies suit different children.

5. A Rational View on This Change

As a long-time professional in this industry and a VERSO parent myself, I want to say:

All VERSO teachers and parents came with immense enthusiasm for its unique, innovative education. Facing this forced transition today, it's natural to feel regretful.

However, viewed rationally, this change isn't necessarily a disaster—it could be an opportunity, though it also holds uncertainties.

Positive Aspects:

1.  ✅ Gains endorsement from a globally renowned brand.

2.  ✅ Joins an established Asian campus network.

3.  ✅ Clear British curriculum university pathways.

4.  ✅ More teacher and resource support.

5.  ✅ Flexibility for inter-campus exchanges and transfers.

6.  ✅ Continued assurance of facilities and investment.

Challenges:

1.  ⚠️ Cultural and philosophical integration takes time.

2.  ⚠️ Teacher team stability is variable.

3.  ⚠️ Management friction may occur during transition.

4.  ⚠️ New student fees may increase significantly.

5.  ⚠️ How PBL and British curriculum balance remains to be seen.

6. How We Can Help You

As professional international education consultants and tutors, the Senior Column team can offer:

1.  In-depth Consultation Services:

    *   Analyze the specific impact of this transition on your child.

    *   Assess whether considering a transfer is necessary.

    *   Recommend the most suitable alternative schools if a transfer is needed.

2.  School Application Services:

    *   Assist with applications to other top international schools in Bangkok.

    *   Provide test preparation and interview coaching.

    *   Follow the entire application process.

3.  Academic Tutoring:

    *   If choosing to stay at the new Wycombe Abbey, provide IGCSE/A-Level course tutoring.

    *   Help children transition smoothly to the new curriculum system.

4.  Continuous Information Updates:We will continue tracking the latest developments on this matter, providing timely policies and changes.

7. Conclusion

Educational choices are never simple, especially when change comes suddenly.

But remember: There is no perfect school, only the school most suitable for your child.

The VERSO-to-Wycombe Abbey transformation may be a pleasant surprise for some families and a concern for others. The key is to:

*   Understand your own needs.

*   Gather sufficient information.

*   Make rational judgments.

*   Trust in your child's adaptability.

Whatever decision you ultimately make, we wish every child healthy growth and joyful learning in the environment best suited for them.

If you need any assistance or wish to discuss further, please feel free to contact us anytime.