Admissions at HeadStart

We warmly welcome your family to begin the journey of joining our vibrant community at HeadStart International School, Phuket. To make your application process as seamless as possible, we have outlined the complete admissions procedure for our Chaofah and Cherngtalay campuses below. From your initial enquiry and entrance examinations to required documentation and school policies, everything you need for a confident and straightforward enrolment is right here.

Enrolment Overview

We welcome enquiries from families throughout the year. Please feel free to contact us for more information or to arrange a visit to explore the HeadStart campus for yourself.

Students aged two years and above can apply to enrol at HeadStart International School, Phuket. Placement is subject to availability and up to the discretion of the Heads of School.

The school has a total capacity of 1,000 students. We accept 20 students per Foundation class and 24 students per Primary and Secondary classes. Due to our ongoing commitment to the community, we do not enrol students on a part-time basis.

Student Enrolment Procedure

Fill out Application Form

A parent/carer should complete a school application form shown in the tabs above.

All applicants from Preschool to Year 13 are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of 8,000 THB.

Entrance Examination

Students aged 6 and above (Year 2 through Year 13) are required to sit a CAT4 entrance examination. Payment for this examination is covered by the one off application fee of 8,000 baht which will be collected per student enrolling. More detailed information regarding the Entrance Exam can be found below.

Interview with Head of Primary/Secondary

Interviews with prospective students are conducted by the Head of Primary or Secondary, as appropriate. An appointment for the interview will be arranged by a member of the school office personnel in consultation with parents/carers.

Complete Home and School Partnership Agreement

If a place at the school is offered, parents/guardians will be required to complete a Home and School Partnership Agreement which demonstrates agreement with and understanding of the school’s mission and regulations, such as code of conduct, dress code and behavior.

Provide Registrar with Documents

Upon completion of the Home and School Partnership Agreement, the school office will require a list of documents which can be found below.

Pay School Fees

Our accounting department will send you an invoice by email.

Purchase school uniform

Visit the school shop to purchase school uniforms according to the School Uniform Policy as laid down in the Parents’ Handbook.

The first day of school will always be a Monday

Entrance Examinations

Students aged 6 and above (Year 2 through Year 13) are required to sit a CAT4 entrance examination.

CAT4 assesses a student’s verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. This gives our teachers a reliable profile of your child’s core learning abilities, helping us identify their specific strengths and learning preferences to ensure a personalised approach from day one.

Read a comprehensive explanation of CAT4 testing here.

To arrange a date and time for the examination, please speak to our Admin team. Results are emailed to parents within two working days.

Documents Required

Please provide the following documents to the school registrar.

Student

  • 3 x photographs (2” x 3”)
  • House registration or lease document
  • Reports from previous school
  • Birth certificate
  • Photocopy of passport/ID card

Father

  • 2 x photographs (2” x 3”)
  • House registration or lease document
  • Photocopy of passport/ID card

Mother

  • 2 x photographs (2” x 3”)
  • House registration or lease document
  • Photocopy of passport/ID card

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

A parent or guardian must complete the Student Withdrawal form and submit this to the school office/Registrar at least one month prior to the last day of the academic year. Refunds of the Endowment fee or otherwise are processed at the end of the school year and paid out 2 weeks after the last day of the academic year. Refunds will not be made if the Student Withdrawal Form has not been filled out and if the student is withdrawn before the end of the academic school year.

Visa Support

Relocating and managing international paperwork can be a complex process, but we are here to help make your transition as smooth as possible. While HeadStart does not have direct control over Thai immigration policies, our dedicated Administrative Team is fully committed to providing the essential paperwork and guidance you need to secure a student visa for your child. Please review the guidelines, required documents, and important advice below to ensure your application process and visit to the Phuket Immigration Office is a success.

General Information

The role of the HeadStart Admin team is to assist in providing the necessary paperwork to obtain a student visa once your child has been enrolled at HeadStart. As a school, we do not have any control regarding policy change or your interactions with immigration. To find out detailed information about visas please visit or call the nearest Thai Consulate.

First Time Applicants

Allow for 30 days for our Admin team to prepare your documents. This is due to the fact that the school must request paperwork from the Ministry of Education Department to support your request. Additional fees may be incurred.

Advice for Visiting the Phuket Immigration Office

Dress conservatively. Covered shoulders and closed shoes are advised. Arrive at immigration early. The office dealing with ED and O visas will only accept 30 applicants per day. Be sure to have all paperwork prepared and ready to show.

Supporting Documents

You can request supporting documents from our office by writing to [email protected] (for Chaofah City campus), [email protected] (for Cherngtalay campus) or in person at the relevant admin office. Please allow 30 days for our admin team to process your request. The first set of documents are provided free of charge. If you require an additional set of documents, 100 Baht will be collected. Once you have received the documents, please check that they are correct so that amendments can be made on the spot.

Bank Statements

For first-time applicants, the THB 500,000 deposit must be made at least 30 days prior to applying for your extension. If it is your second or subsequent year applying, there must be THB 500,000 deposited at least 3 months prior to applying for your extension. Each guardian applying must have their own THB 500,000 deposit. The amount of money shown in your bank book must correspond to the information shown on the letter from the bank. If both guardians share a joint account, the amount needs to be THB 1,000,000 and needs to be presented together with a Marriage Certificate. It is advisable to have your own personal account over a joint account.

Required Documents for Guardians

Please make sure you make copies of the documents for official purposes when visiting Immigration. You should also be aware that the list of documents may change and therefore it is advisable to check with the official Immigration regulations to ensure that you have everything, or contact the Phuket local Immigration Office at 076-212-108 Ext. 27

  • Application form
  • A letter from the school confirming your child’s status at HeadStart
  • A bank letter confirming your THB 500,000 deposit that was paid into your account. (The account must be in your name)
  • Bank statements for the last 3 months
  • One passport photo
  • Passport page with identification details
  • Passport page with Non-Immigrant visa stamp
  • Passport page with last arrival in Thailand stamp
  • Arrival card. (T.M.6)
  • Each child’s passport page with identification details
  • Each child’s birth certificate
  • House registration or lease agreement, with a copy of the property owner’s ID card
  • Bank book updated over the past 3 months
  • A fee of approximately THB 2,000

Required Documents for Students

Application form (acquire from immigration office)

Original and Photocopies of the following:

  • Passport page with identification details
  • Passport page with Non-Immigrant visa stamp
  • Passport page with the last arrival in Thailand stamp
  • Arrival card
  • A letter from the school confirming your child’s status at HeadStart
  • House registration or lease agreement, with a copy of the property owner’s ID card
  • One passport photo
  • A fee of approximately THB 2,000
Rated
Outstanding
IN STUDENT PESONAL DEVELOPMENT

by Education
Development Trust

Education Development Trust

Independently assessed and rated Outstanding in Student Personal Development, Parent Partnerships, and Accommodation & Resources, with outstanding practices highlighted across multiple other key educational domains.

1600+

Students

A Truly Global Community

A culturally diverse learning environment across 2 campuses with over 1600 students representing families from all over the world.

100% IGCSE Pass Rate

Reflecting our unwavering commitment to foundational academic success, an outstanding 42% of our IGCSE students received A* or A Grades.

Globally Recognised & Accredited

  • Cambridge International
  • ISQM Accredited
  • FOBISIA Member
  • White Rose Maths Champion School
  • Pearson Edexcel Approved
  • Duke of Edinburgh's Award

47%

A or A* Grades

A-Level Excellence

Academic rigour proven by students consistently achieving Cambridge ‘Top in Thailand’ and ‘Top in the World’ awards.

Pathways to the World’s Best Universities

Stanford University

University of Cambridge

University of Edinburgh

University of Manchester

Mahidol University

University of Nottingham

Durham University

Thammasat University

Chulalongkorn University

Environmental & Social Responsibility

Zero-single-use-plastic policies

Integrated sustainability curriculum

Regular coastal & beach cleanups.

Active student-led Eco-Committees.

80% solar-powered operations.

Dedicated local community outreach.

60%

BTEC Vocational Success

In our specialized career pathways, an impressive 60% earned a Distinction Star or Distinction in their Year 13 BTEC grades.

Our commitment to your child

A vibrant global community

At HeadStart, your child joins a welcoming family of over 50 nationalities. We foster a supportive, inclusive environment where students build lifelong friendships and develop a true understanding of the world.

Proven academic excellence

Your child’s future is our focus. Our students consistently achieve outstanding IGCSE and A-Level results, earning 'Top in Thailand' and 'Top in the World' awards. This academic rigor opens doors to the world's leading universities, including Yale, Stanford, and Cambridge.

Nurturing individual potential

We believe true growth happens when learning is personal. Our passionate, professional teachers take the time to understand your child's unique talents and learning style, providing tailored support and challenges that build confidence and inspire a love of learning.

Life at HeadStart

From academic breakthroughs to championship wins, there is always an inspiring story unfolding at HeadStart. Browse the latest articles below to catch up on the news, events, and daily life across our Chaofah and Cherngtalay campuses.