Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus Expands the Early Years Building, emphasising ‘Environment as the Third Teacher’ to Foster a Strong Foundation for a Sustainable Future
Our Spotlight SHC Article SHC Early years SHC Nursery SHC StoryWe recently celebrated the official opening of our newly extended Early Years Hub, marking an exciting chapter in our commitment to high-quality early childhood education. The expansion of the Early Years building, designed to accommodate children aged 2 to 5, reflects the increasing demand for a world-class foundation in early education.
Our Shrewsbury UK and Bangkok Governors, Senior Management Team, Shrewsbury Parents Committee, honoured guests, and members of the media attended the event, titled “Early Years Development: Setting Foundation, Shaping Future.” The programme included an introduction to Shrewsbury’s approach to early childhood education, insights into our new Early Years facilities, and an exclusive tour of the extended Early Years Hub. Led by our Founding Principal, Amanda Dennison, and Assistant Principal for Early Years and Key Stage 1, Catherine Okill, the event also introduced our surprise guest—the Early Years mascot, Starfish—who symbolises the values of strength, resilience and kindness.
A Milestone in Early Education
Principal Amanda Dennison, who has over 35 years of educational experience and has been part of the Shrewsbury International School Bangkok community since 2010, shared her pride in City Campus’s remarkable growth. Enrolment has risen from around 160 students in the 2018-19 academic year to over 540 in the 2024–25 academic year. This growth underscores Shrewsbury Bangkok City Campus’s reputation as a leading choice for early childhood education in Bangkok, with the expansion accommodating a growing number of young learners.
Assistant Principal Catherine Okill, who brings over a decade of early education experience across Europe and Thailand, elaborated on the Shrewsbury Early Years programme. The curriculum combines the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage with best practices from around the world, including Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, centring learning on each child’s unique interests and development.
The Enabling Environment as the Third Teacher
The design of the Early Years Hub follows the Reggio Emilia philosophy of the “Environment as the Third Teacher,” recognising that surroundings play an essential role in a child’s learning. The welcoming, comfortable, and safe space at City Campus is thoughtfully crafted to support children’s curiosity and development. A central circular hall serves as a gathering space for children and families, creating a community atmosphere that encourages connection, communication, and exploration.
Each classroom is linked directly to this central hub and the surrounding gardens, allowing children to move freely between indoor and outdoor learning spaces. This free-flow setup empowers children to take ownership of their learning, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.
Nature at the Heart of Learning
Despite its location in bustling Bangkok, City Campus offers an oasis of green spaces, including a Forest School area, a beach zone, a fish pond, and shaded gardens. The Early Years programme integrates these natural environments into daily learning, helping young learners cultivate a sense of wonder and a strong connection to nature. The Forest School curriculum, in particular, is designed to support children’s physical and emotional well-being through outdoor exploration.
School Community
Parents at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus consistently praise the warm sense of community and the strong bonds they share with teachers and fellow parents. The Early Years Hub serves as a central meeting point, fostering relationships that support each child’s educational journey. This community-focused approach has become a defining feature of our school community experience.
Building Strong Foundation for the Future
The Early Years expansion is a testament to Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus’s mission to nurture resilient, strong, kind, and curious young learners. As Principal Dennison emphasised, the school’s symbol, the Starfish, embodies these qualities, serving as a reminder of the strength, kindness, and resilience characters that Shrewsbury seeks to instil in every child.
Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus continues to exemplify its mission, “Setting Foundation, Shaping Future,” by providing a world-class education in an inspiring, nurturing environment. With the support of dedicated teachers, involved parents, and purpose-built facilities, Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus is laying a solid foundation for a strong future from the very start of children’s educational journey.
