We are delighted to announce the results of our 2025 A Level cohort!

August 12th and 14th were exciting days in the HeadStart community; the former being results day for our Cambridge A Level examination results and the latter concluding results for last year’s Year 13 students with Pearson’s A Level Art and EPQ results. Leading up to results day is always stressful for all involved. Internal questioning from staff and students alike on whether the countless hours of studying, support and interventions have had the desired results. So, were these days of celebration or have they led to deep ruminations on what went wrong?

We are proud to announce that the 2025 A Level results are, once again, incredibly impressive across the board. Before we share the headline figures, we would like to congratulate students, teachers and the wider school community for contributing to another academically successful year. For the full A Level, our Year 13 (and two Year 12!) students obtained an incredible 47% A/A with 92% graded A to C and a 100% pass rate. These are truly incredible results and will be difficult to surpass for our new Year 13 students.

As usual we would like to end by congratulating each individual student who pushed themselves throughout the year to obtain the best grades they could. As educators we love to celebrate students who overcame hurdles to achieve their results and those that surpassed expectations.

In closing, we would like to take this opportunity to offer thanks to all of you for your contributions to these successes, whether they were large or small. Results like these can only be produced by a strong school community. The banner on this page showcases some of the highest-achieving students of this academic year, but all of our students deserve praise for what they have achieved.

Parking Update at Chaofah City Campus

Dear Parents, Thank you for your patience with the parking and traffic issues we have had this week. We understand that it has been frustrating for many of you and we are looking for ways to make improvements.

As a clarification, please understand that the new Sports Pitch being built in front of the school is necessary as our pitches are used primarily for teaching PE and sports to all of our students throughout the day and not just for football. With a continued increase in student numbers, it is important that we have this added sports area to ensure we can provide adequate PE and sports lessons for all of our students. This will also enable us to open more sports related ECAs which have previously been limited due to the space available.

Last academic year, we had a total of 114 motorcycle parking spaces and 155 car parking spaces. With the parking lot extension we made over the summer, we now have a total of 168 motorcycle parking spaces and 204 car parking spaces. We have also built covered walkways and parking spaces to ensure families can comfortably walk to the school entrance regardless of the weather. Please see the map attached to see the updated parking plan.

We ask that parents please use the Secondary Drop-Off in the external parking to drop-off and pick-up secondary students. The Secondary Drop-Off is also better for all drivers looking to turn right as they come out of the parking. Having more people use the Secondary Drop-Off will mean less congestion in the Primary and Foundation Drop-Off area.

We have started work on the construction of the walkover bridge that will eventually connect the HeadStart College to the main school site. This bridge is scheduled to be completed by January 2026. We plan to build additional parking on the opposite side of the road and we aim to have this available for use once the bridge is completed.

ECAs and Academies are scheduled to start soon and so we hope that the staggered pick-up time for students and the expansion of the external parking area will make parking, pick-up and drop-off a more efficient and pleasant experience for all. Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to make these improvements. The HeadStart Management Team

New School Year, New Playground

Excitement was at fever pitch for our Primary students on Monday morning as our brand new playground opened for the first time. With purpose-built climbing frames, a variety of slides, swings and tunnels and interactive toys and instruments, all under a protective canopy to keep off the sun’s rays, our young explorers have so much to look forward to during break and lunchtimes this school year.

As always, parents are welcome to take their children to the playground after school as well. We politely remind all parents that they should supervise their children at these times. We look forward to a wonderful year of playful fun in the playground!

New Classrooms Offer a Greater Variety of Pathways in Secondary

We are delighted to announce that the 10 brand new Secondary classrooms in the Sky Pitch building at our HeadStart Chaofah City campus are now open for business. These classrooms are now home to our English and Humanities Faculties, who will join our existing Business & Commerce team in this area of the school campus. This development has also allowed us to improve the quality of provision and expansion of programmes in our Science faculty, which remains over on the fourth floor of our main building.

These school developments are all part of HeadStart’s continued commitment to offering a variety of pathways for our oldest students, whether at IGCSE, AS/A Level or BTEC Level 2 and Level 3.

Meet the Team: New Secondary Principal – Ben Wakeford

We are delighted to introduce Mr Ben Wakeford as the new Secondary Principal of HeadStart International School, Phuket, across both our school campuses. We are excited for the journey ahead under his guidance as our Secondary department continues to develop and grow. We would like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about Ben and his family:

“I am excited to move into the role of Secondary Principal across both of our HeadStart campuses and I am looking forward to immersing myself even further in the community and school life. This is our family’s second year living in Phuket, and it has been a privilege to be part of such a welcoming and vibrant school. My wife, Lisa, is Year lead in Year 1 at the Chaofah campus and our two young daughters are thriving as part of our wonderful school community. Being part of HeadStart is truly a family experience for us, and we all feel very fortunate to now call it our home.

I grew up in Hampshire, in the UK, and my career has taken me to London, Gloucestershire, and the Middle East. I am passionate about lifelong learning and hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, as well as the National Professional Qualification in Headship. I believe strongly in using research-proven practice to continually improve teaching and learning, ensuring that every decision we make has the greatest possible impact on our students.

In my experience, effort is rewarded with success – it is not just talent that leads to achievement, but determination, perseverance, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. A belief aligned with HeadStart’s 9 Learner Attributes. By nurturing these qualities, we are not only preparing students for academic success but also equipping them to navigate an ever-changing world and to make positive change within it.

As an educator, I value the importance of creating strong, positive relationships and working collaboratively with students, staff, and parents. Education is a shared journey, and I believe that when we work together, we can create the best possible environment for our students to flourish. I am a PE teacher at heart and have always had a love of sport. I have played and coached football and cricket, and in recent years I have enjoyed training for triathlons. I am enjoying exploring the roads, trails, and waters of Phuket, and continuing to lead by example in living an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Wishing Ben and his family a great year ahead.

Meet the Team: New Director of Sport – Tim Cresswell

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Mr Tim Cresswell as the new Director of Sport at HeadStart International School, Phuket, across both our school campuses, along with his wife, Jenny (Year 5 Teacher at our Cherngtalay campus) and their two sons. We look forward to him fulfilling his vision for our PE, Sports and Academy programs as they continue to develop and grow. Here is Tim and his family’s story:

“I am delighted to be joining HeadStart International School in Phuket after spending the past 20 years in Hong Kong, where I worked in international schools and served as Director of Sport for 14 years. I relocate with my wife, Jenny, a Year 5 teacher, and our two young sons, aged six and eight. As a family, we love to stay active and are excited to explore everything Phuket has to offer. Having played a wide range of sports growing up—and football at college in the United States—I now enjoy cycling and water sports in my spare time.

Originally from Nottingham, England, I began my career as a football coach and scout in Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States before returning to education, where I felt I could make a broader and more lasting impact on students. I hold a Master’s degree in Sports Science, with a focus on how coaches and teachers can best support students from diverse cultural backgrounds—an area of particular importance to me and one that closely aligns with the values of HeadStart.

My educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that sport is a powerful vehicle for learning and personal growth, extending far beyond performance on the pitch, court, or field. As Director of Sport, my mission is to develop a program that not only strives for excellence in competition but also nurtures the holistic development of every student-athlete. I am passionate about mentoring young people, guiding them through the unique highs and lows of sport, and helping them create lifelong memories that will positively shape their futures. I look forward to using my 20+ years of experience in education and coaching to further enhance the sporting provision at HeadStart and contribute to a vibrant, supportive school community. Helping students become competent, confident, and knowledgeable movers who are equipped to lead active, healthy lives.”

Wishing Tim and his family a great year ahead.

Stay in Touch: Whole School Communications

We’d like to remind you that important school news will now be sent directly to your inbox via email from our Heads of Department and teachers. Every Friday afternoon, you will receive a link to our Weekly Update on the school website, which includes vital announcements about meetings, upcoming events, and key dates for your diary. The Weekly Update also highlights student achievements, both in and out of school, along with exciting activities and projects happening around campus.

For quick updates and reminders in English, Thai, Russian, and Mandarin, please scan the QR codes below or displayed on our ‘Information and News’ boards around campus to receive regular important updates. Don’t forget to follow our social media outlets for lots of pictures and videos showcasing the school in action here: HeadStart Chaofah City Facebook Page.

Thank you for staying connected with us!

Share Your Child’s Success

At HeadStart, we are incredibly proud of the many and varied achievements of our students, from academic accomplishments to sporting success and creative endeavours. Whether taking part in one of our many extra-curricular activities or school programmes, or developing a lifelong passion outside school, our students frequently demonstrate that they are inspired by a love of learning. Each week, we have the opportunity to celebrate these successes as a community both at our Monday morning flag raising ceremony and through our various social media channels.

If your child has experienced success and you would like to share this with our wider community, please complete our Student Achievement Submission Form which can be accessed via the QR code below. We look forward to hearing from you!

HeadStart Chaofah City Parent Committee Coffee Morning

The Chaofah City Parent Committee is inviting all parents to join a Parents Coffee Morning on Friday 29th August from 9:00am onwards at N1 Cafe & Green, just around the corner from HeadStart International School Chaofah City Campus. This event provides the perfect opportunity to make new friends and have the chance to meet some of our veteran HeadStart parents who can answer any questions that you may have.

Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) Parent meeting on 19.08.25

Thanks to the many parents, returning and new, who joined us for our first parent meeting of the school year. It was wonderful to see such a large turnout to find out about the amazing array of Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) we have on offer, and how parents can use our Engage portal to book these for their children. Look out for announcements on our social media channels for booking periods and, should you have any questions or problems, feel free to get in touch with our ECA Team at [email protected]

Please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

HSC Parent Meeting 01 ECA and Parent Portal Meeting 19 August 2025

Online Homework Platforms in Primary Parent Meeting

We invite all Primary parents to join us for our latest parent meeting when our Primary Academic team will share important information about the online platforms used for homework for our Primary age students. It will also be a great opportunity to meet other parents and members of our community. Our Thai, Russian and Mandarin speaking admin teams will be on hand to provide translation services. We look forward to seeing you there! Tuesday 26th August 2025 from 8:15-9:15am in the Secondary Hall (Floor 4).

University Preparation (UPrep) at HeadStart

We understand that supporting your children through the university application process can be a nerve-wracking experience and at HeadStart we would like to offer our support to you as parents. Throughout the year, we will be offering a series of workshops designed to inform and support parents through the stages of university application processes. The first of these workshops will outline the UPrep programme and the student experience at HeadStart, as well as introduce you to the main timelines and how best to support your child through the application process. This will be held from 8:30 – 9:15 am on Wednesday 27th August, in the Secondary Hall on Floor 4.

We will also be offering informal drop-in sessions every other week, starting on Wednesday 3rd September. These will be held in Nakita’s cafe at the same time (8:30 – 9:30 am). Our University Guidance Counsellors, Mr Roscoe [email protected] and Mr Thomas [email protected], along with our Deputy School Director, Kru Toom [email protected], will be available at this time. Below is a summary of the planned series of talks this academic year. If you have any questions at all or do not see the talk you would like advertised, please get in touch as we would really appreciate your feedback. Emily Graham, Deputy Head of Upper Secondary [email protected]

Welcome to the HeadStart Football Academy

Meet our dedicated 2025-2026 Football Academy coaching team! Let’s hear from our first ever female football coach, Madison Hooper:

“My name is Madi Hooper and I have 10 years of coaching experience across grassroots and academy levels. For the past three seasons, I’ve coached at West Ham United’s boys’ academy, working with top talent across East London. During this time, I gained my UEFA B Licence, enhancing my ability to deliver high-level sessions. My role has taken me abroad, coaching in America, South East Asia, and Europe.

Outside of football, I’ve travelled through Australia and South East Asia, experiences that have strengthened my adaptability and cultural awareness. I’m also a dedicated mentor and youth worker, supporting young people both on and off the pitch by building confidence and helping them achieve their goals.

I take pride in helping young people grow not only as footballers but as individuals. I’m excited to join Head Start and passionate about inspiring the next generation of female players to aim high and reach their full potential.”

Football Academy Kicks Off Next Week

Are you ready for an exciting year of Football Academy training sessions, competitive matches and the excitement of playing as a team and representing HeadStart International School? We couldn’t ask for a better team to make this happen. Head Coach Frost, Coach Hooper, Coach Francis, Coach Campbell and Coach Neung to challenge, inspire and push everyone along to higher levels of attainment. Let’s go HeadStart Football Panthers! Click on the link to read more about our HeadStart Football Academy. 📩 For inquiries about the programmes, contact our Head Coach, Stef Frost for more info by writing to: [email protected]

Welcome to the HeadStart Swim Academy

Meet our dynamic 2025-2026 Swim Academy coaching team! Let’s hear from our new swim coach, Samantha Stanley:

“Hey y’all! My name is Sammy and I’m thrilled to be joining the amazing swim program here. I started swimming competitively at age six and later swam for the University of Alabama, where I earned the SEC Scholar-Athlete award—highlighting my belief in balancing academics and athletics.

I studied to become a history and English teacher and have spent the past seven years teaching in secondary schools across Utah, Alabama, and Hungary. Alongside teaching, I’ve coached swimming at all levels—from club teams and high schools to summer leagues, masters programs, and beginner safety lessons.

I’m passionate about creating lifelong learners and lovers of swimming, and I can’t wait to help our swimmers grow both in and out of the pool. Outside of coaching, I love crocheting, reading, snorkeling, scrapbooking, and cheering on Alabama football. Roll tide!”

Dive Into Swim Academy Next Week

With the tryouts now complete, our Swim Academy training sessions begin next week. See below for the schedule 👇

Welcome to the HeadStart Basketball Academy

Meet our slam-dunking 2025-2026 Basketball Academy coaching team! Let’s hear from our new basketball coach, Musheleus Benson (aka Coach Lucy):

“Hi, my name is Musheleus Benson from Fort Worth, Texas. My love for basketball began at age 7 playing AAU, and I later played Division 1 basketball at Tarleton State University. I served as team captain for my final two years and earned defensive awards every year except my last, when I received the MVP award.

My coaching journey started as a freshman, leading basketball camps on campus, where I enjoyed mentoring players and watching them grow. After college, I returned to coach my alumni AAU team, working under my former head coach.

Defense is my passion, and I thrive on an aggressive, high-energy playstyle. This mindset taught me the importance of teamwork and supporting others on and off the court. At HeadStart, I aim to instill this mindset, encouraging players to trust and have confidence in their teammates, helping them develop both as athletes and individuals.”

Tip Off With Basketball Academy Next Week

With the tryouts now complete, our Basketball Academy training sessions begin next week. See below for the schedule 👇

HeadStart Flag Football Players Go International

Earlier this year, a group of HeadStart students took their skills international by competing in the NBFO ‘25 Flag Football International Tourney with RSA RUN IT. This tourney took place in Ningbo, China. And our flag footballers did themselves proud, advancing in the playoffs to lose by only 1 point in a nail biter of a game! We couldn’t be more proud of our student athletes for exhibiting confidence and readiness to put it all on the line every game.

Congratulations to: Milo Austin Fogarty, Chaiwat Surinthon (Aom), Ollie Pan Zhenghao, Mingrui Li (former student), Gleb Kargapoltsev, Eric Long, Carry Zhang (recent graduate former HeadBoy)

If you’d like to join the team for the upcoming season, join our Flag Football ECA here at school. Coach M – PE Teacher & Flag Football Coach

Supporting the Addition of New BTEC Courses at HeadStart

We were delighted to welcome Megan Cullen, a representative from Pearson, to HeadStart. Megan is part of an incredibly supportive team that works closely with us to ensure the smooth implementation of our existing and newest courses available from this year: BTEC Level 3 Applied Science, BTEC Level 3 Engineering, BTEC Level 2 in Sport and BTEC Level 2 in Business. She provided guidance on assessment requirements, helps teachers navigate excellent resources, and offers valuable insights into best practice for delivering Pearson qualifications. Her visit gave us the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and strengthen our understanding of the pathways available to our students.

Thank you, Megan, for taking the time to visit us and for the continued support you and your team provide. Ms Jones – Lead for Vocational Education

HeadStart Students Shortlisted for International Essay Prize

Over the summer, two HeadStart students, Mila and Vlad (Year 12), participated in the John Locke essay competition – one of the most prestigious and competitive student essay writing competitions in the world. With a wide range of writing topics available, including philosophy, psychology, theology, economics, politics and history, Mila decided on psychology, writing about self-worth and confidence, and Vlad chose economics, focusing on behaviours of private and public corporations. Both have been shortlisted for the Psychology Category of the John Locke Institute Global 2025 Essay Prize.


Through this process, both students had the opportunity to engage with academic writing techniques typically practiced at university level. They conducted independent research using scholarly sources, developed skills in critical analysis, and learned to structure clear and compelling arguments in direct response to their chosen set questions. The competition received essays from 63,328 candidates. After their examiners read every eligible entry, the short list was drawn from the top 18.65 percent. To be numbered among the best of the best is a remarkable achievement. Mr. Pollicutt – Head of English

You can read Mila and Vlad’s essays below 👇

John Locke Essay The Consent of Inferiority
John Locke Essay Economics 1

BTEC Sport – Muscles in Action!

Our Year 10 BTEC Sport students kicked off their new course by taking learning out of the classroom. Working in teams, they drew and labelled the body’s major muscles before linking them to sporting movements – from sprinting in football to shooting in basketball. A fun, hands-on way to see how science powers sport! Mr Sadler – BTEC Sport Teacher

Celebrating English A Level Success and a Collegiate Sense of Community

The raw numbers tell only part of the story – 83% A– A and 100% A-B. We continue our 7 year trend of never getting below a C grade in Year 13 A Levels. The A Level English Literature results are record breaking this year but I find it hard to write about them without sounding boastful on behalf of the students. Besides, I write these sorts of things too often, so I thought it better to hand it over to the recent graduates themselves to share with you their experiences of English Literature at A Level. – Mr. Pollicutt, Head of English

Liz Lebedeva, Year 13 Graduate 2024-25

I entered Year 13 feeling defeated.

Despite my love for English Literature, I walked out of the exam hall at the end of Year 12 with a C. At the time, it felt like the end of everything; the end of any hope of ever reaching the A we all longed for. If only I could show myself back then the moment when I opened my results and saw the grade I thought was impossible.

With Mr. Pollicutt’s support, I chose not to give in to failure but to try again.
I spent my summer cooped up in a cafe studying, Mr. Pollicutt was always right there beside me to give words of wisdom, encouragement or the occasional sweet treat.

Going into the retake again, I felt as confident as the author. And when I reopened my results and saw an A, returning to class, I was greeted with congratulations and celebrations from my peers and from my teachers.

Walking into English classes was always a joy. The banter, the lively discussions, and learning never felt like just schoolwork; it created an environment unlike any other.

What I’ll miss most are the days filled with laughter, mischief, and the inside jokes with our teachers that made every lesson unforgettable. Our teachers’ efforts paid off. I’ve graduated with what once felt impossible, an A in English Literature, and a heart full of warm memories.

Christina Fischer, Year 13 Graduate 2024-25

Ah, English Literature. Some dullards call this a “Mickey Mouse” subject. Now studying Physics at university in America, as much as I would have once upon a time agreed with them, I now just don’t.

English Literature became one of my favourite subjects since IGCSE, and with A Level, this love only grew. Not only did this subject allow me to polish my writing and analytical skills, but it also introduced me to texts and writers that I will cherish for life- such as Chaucer, my writer of choice!

And the lessons….I had some of the most outrageous ones, but also some of the best lessons out of any of my A Levels. They were fun, surprisingly informative and always accompanied by Mr Pollicutt’s ridiculous and eccentric sense of humour.

Yet most importantly, I was able to share this great experience with the best gang of friends I could ask for, where each lesson just felt like another gossip sesh. And although I was still met with the same illiterate scoundrels who accuse me of picking a “Mickey Mouse” subject, I am now able to dismiss and refute these baseless allegations with utter eloquence.

So, for these reasons, I am proud to have chosen A Level English Literature- it was an enjoyable and totally unforgettable experience.

Zoe Fuchs, Year 13 Graduate 2024-25

English Literature class has been the most chaotic yet stimulating of all- probably this is how it should be.

From Atonement to The Merchant’s Tale we’ve explored a range of different text types, genres and narrative styles. We critically analysed texts and personalised our responses and radical conjectures over the years, steadily making progress with every (far from easy) VIMA practice and unflinchingly blunt feedback.

Our small yet strong class, while competitive and ruthless, was undoubtedly the most supportive and motivating group I’ve had. Every lesson was unintentionally iconic and entertaining with each of my classmates’ unique personalities and Mr. Pollicutt’s catwalk ready outfits, formulating so many inside jokes that an outsider wouldn’t stand a chance to keep up.

I knew this group dynamic was set up for success but even so, my results exceeded my expectations.

My grade may have been a result of what Mr. Pollicutt coined was my habit of underpromising and overdelivering, but I will present my A* with pride and a newfound confidence (and somewhere in the back of my mind I’ll always picture my brilliantly unhinged English Gang).

Erica Ilstam, Year 13 Graduate 2024-25

Our social media group chat is still called “English Regards”- maybe you can discern why.

There were only six of us in the class, so this, combined with the shared experience (or trauma) of reading Beloved aloud and facing Mr Pollicutt’s wrath whenever we slacked off, made it impossible for us not to form our own friend group.

Although, I have to say that when he wore that beret (or whatever it’s called) , I got nauseous.

Only joking!

I’m so grateful that I managed to get an A* this year. My advice to anyone doing AS or A level English would be to work together with your classmates. In my class we shared our VIMAs with each other in a Google Drive, we did Master Blasters (don’t ask!) together, group revision sessions in the holidays, and it all paid off in the end.

Manar Srivakul, Year 13 Graduate 2024-25

Although I can’t say my ‘word salad’ has improved drastically since I joined the class again in Year 12, I can confidently say that my favourite memories from school belong to The English Regards and to Mr Pollicutt.

When I joined the class in the Sixth Form, I came in with a bit of an inflated ego and it was intimidating to see how far ahead everyone else seemed in how they thought, the way they wrote and the depth of their analysis. But what could’ve been a really overwhelming experience quickly became my favourite part of school, and the place where I felt closest to my classmates.

Everyone brought their own competitive flair, which made for a refreshing, challenging, and really fun dynamic. I often found myself disappointed when our double periods came to an end.

It was definitely frustrating to finish AS Levels with a B, just one mark off an A.

But it pushed me.

I started focusing on small but important things: highlighting feedback, labeling my own essays, building a general structure that worked for me. But despite the pressure and the rigour, it was great fun every single day. From the first few minutes of class spent chatting, catching up and, of course, getting our weekly serving of ‘tea’ courtesy of Mr Pollicutt. It was the kind of environment I’ll always miss.

Thank you for an unforgettable two years and for a gallon’s worth of tears that were absolutely worth it.

Krittat Phaisamran, Year 13 Graduate 2024-25

For me, English Literature is more than just reading works by centuries-dead authors—it’s about uncovering and understanding the very fabric of the human condition. I’ve never been someone who enjoys reading books for the sake of it, but in this course, with each text we studied, the more I read, the deeper I engaged, the more I peeled back layers of hidden ideas, the more I began to enjoy it. At the start, I really only cared about the result—the letter grade—but somewhere along the way that changed. What began as chasing marks turned into something far more personal: getting to know people I would have never been as close with otherwise, refining how I listen to language and ideas, learning to articulate myself with more precision, and collecting memories that mattered more than any grade ever could.

The “English Regards” group is by far the most tight-knit and genuine friendship born out of a shared subject that I’ve ever had—and likely ever will. And this isn’t by accident. Mr. Pollicutt’s English classes were never one-way lectures; they were conversations where we could argue, debate, and challenge each other, and in the process, get to know one another better. In fact, English was the only class where I could speak to friends without being punished! Our “gang”’s bond stretched far beyond the classroom—whether it was sending reels or going on hikes, that sense of connection grew directly out of the atmosphere of English. For me, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience, something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Jake is a Warhammer Champion!

Over the weekend of 9-10th August 2025, Jake (Year 12) was crowned champion of the Thailand National Championship of Warhammer. This event is held yearly in Bangkok and the winner earns the right to represent Thailand at the World Championships held in Atlanta, USA later in the year. Jake topped a field of more than 100 players from around Asia to take the win – huge congratulations, Jake!