A fulfilling boarding experience for student-athletes

British International School, Phuket is a “home away from home,” a warm and welcoming community for students from all backgrounds to live, learn, and perform. Located in sunny Phuket, described by Lonely Planet as “Thailand's dazzling largest island”, BISP is where boarders and student-athletes feel safe, supported and valued as they form skills, friendships, and memories. 

“Our four boarding houses are located on a stunning 44-acre campus surrounded by tropical landscapes, just minutes away from some of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches,” says Magali Margo, Head of Boarding at BISP. “This environment offers our boarders a peaceful and inspiring setting to focus on their academics, sports, and personal growth.”

Hear from the students

Boarding at BISP

What sets boarding at BISP apart is its family-like atmosphere within an international community. Young girls, for example, are under the care of dedicated female House Parents and Assistant House Parents who provide 24/7 guidance, support, and supervision. 

Each house features a common area where the girls can relax, join in-house activities, and enjoy quality downtime with their housemates who come from around the world. This multicultural environment encourages them to become more open-minded, appreciate different cultures, and grow into confident global citizens. 

BISP understands that a well-rounded education requires getting good grades and so much more. Boarding here supports this – ensuring a balanced lifestyle so students can develop a deep love for learning and seize extracurricular opportunities.

List of activities offered on weekends:

Sports tournaments, cross-country runs, quad biking, mini-golf, beach afternoons,team games and competitions, ice skating, water sports and parks, bowling, massage

Cinema, dinner out, beach afternoons, boat trips, sightseeing, snorkelling, trampolining

Community-based projects, such as beach cleaning

– Magali Margo, Head of Boarding at BISP

“We are committed to continuously improving the student experience. This also includes regularly upgrading our facilities, introducing new activities and resources, and ensuring that we provide a supportive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally. We aim to foster a sense of community, while also adapting to the changing needs of our students, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future endeavours.”

High-performing sports, high-impact support

All BISP students take part in sports and activities that boost their overall well-being. BISP student-athletes who live on campus, however, get these benefits 24/7. Being close to coaches, fields, and practice halls lets them juggle both learning and training in ways that make them better students and athletes.

There’s little burnout and a lot of growth here, thanks to BISP’s Sports and Athletic Department’s structured approach to a student-athlete’s school week. Coaches work closely with House Parents and teachers to keep students on track at many different levels and abilities – from under 5 all the way to elite. In five Academy sports – golf, tennis, football, swimming and gymnastics – professional sports coaches from around the world add another layer of expertise to help these young athletes reach their full potential.

The best of both worlds

As a student-athlete, Siera participates in both high-performance swimming and football at the BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy. She attends dedicated morning training twice a week, on top of daily afternoon training sessions.

“It’s great that I can just roll out of bed and head to training – it saves so much time,” says Siera. “The coaches here really push us to reflect on our performances. They help me identify my mistakes so I can improve, which has made a huge difference.”

But with hectic training schedules, tournaments, and out-of-state competitions, you may think student-athletes don’t have time for coursework. That’s not the case here at BISP, as teachers go above and beyond to ensure student-athletes like Siera stay on track.

Magali Margo affirms this. “If a student-athlete has a busy training schedule, House Parents ensure they have a structured routine to balance academics and recovery,” she says. “Teachers provide flexibility with assignments or extra support to keep the student on track academically. Coaches design training plans that consider the student’s school commitments, ensuring neither academics, personal health nor athletics are compromised.”

An enriching student experience awaits at the British International School, Phuket.