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A week in the life of a Bangkok Patana School student
As Thailand’s first and largest British international school, Bangkok Patana School has established itself as one of the most respected institutions in the region — and the world. For over 60 years, it has welcomed students from around 65 countries to its modern campus, providing an education that spans from a child’s foundational years right through to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme.
There’s never a dull moment at Bangkok Patana. From the moment they step foot on campus, students from two to 18 years old thrive in a diverse and dynamic environment which opens up a world of opportunity for them. Vast art studios, wide sporting grounds, and the latest tech — Patana has it all. It’s an exciting domain that cultivates creativity and growth.
Still, even the most ambitious of students need a helping hand. Interspersed with its fast-paced, competitive air is a close-knit community that only ever builds each other up. This doesn’t just apply to the school’s international teaching staff, but trickles down to peer-to-peer support, too.
As Thailand’s first and largest British international school, Bangkok Patana School has established itself as one of the most respected institutions in the region — and the world. For over 60 years, it has welcomed students from around 65 countries to its modern campus, providing an education that spans from a child’s foundational years right through to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme.
There’s never a dull moment at Bangkok Patana. From the moment they step foot on campus, students from two to 18 years old thrive in a diverse and dynamic environment which opens up a world of opportunity for them. Vast art studios, wide sporting grounds, and the latest tech — Patana has it all. It’s an exciting domain that cultivates creativity and growth.
Still, even the most ambitious of students need a helping hand. Interspersed with its fast-paced, competitive air is a close-knit community that only ever builds each other up. This doesn’t just apply to the school’s international teaching staff, but trickles down to peer-to-peer support, too.
An institution of opportunity
Patrick Ledoit is a student of the world. He’s half-Taiwanese, half-French, and was schooling in Switzerland before settling in Bangkok.
He remembers being amazed by the school’s diverse community and flexible environment.
“They were very open, at least compared to my first school, where the level of student and parent involvement was predetermined,” he says, thinking back to his Year 5 days.
“In secondary school, what stood out to me was all the different extra-curricular activities — there’s something for everyone.”
Relocating halfway across the world was not without its challenges, and he struggled with improving his English at first. The school stepped up with vigour to ensure he was brought up to speed. He credits Patana’s tiered teaching system for his swift progress. “I thought that was really helpful because it really challenged and pushed me,” he shares.
Now, he’s on his last leg as an IB student — and a proud Patana Tiger of nine years. Here’s what his schedule looks like:
A week in the life of an IB student
On Tuesdays, Ledoit attends a HL Mathematics class, followed by an SL Physics lesson — something he looks forward to because of his teacher, Mr. Baker. “He uses lots of different learning tools to explain what we’re learning,” he says. “It makes the subject that much more engaging and fun.”
In between classes and after school, Ledoit takes charge as Co-President of the Student Environmental Committee. Under the leadership of students like him, the school has made leaps in sustainability: the abolishment of plastic water bottles and non-recyclable food packaging, among others.
His greatest accomplishment is being part of the force of students that pushed the school to install solar panels across its campus. The campaign, which took the better part of five years, is the reason why Patana’s solar panels have reached their maximum possible output, and the school was recognised as having the biggest solar installation of any institution in Thailand in 2021.
On Tuesdays, Ledoit attends a HL Mathematics class, followed by an SL Physics lesson — something he looks forward to because of his teacher, Mr. Baker. “He uses lots of different learning tools to explain what we’re learning,” he says. “It makes the subject that much more engaging and fun.”
In between classes and after school, Ledoit takes charge as Co-President of the Student Environmental Committee. Under the leadership of students like him, the school has made leaps in sustainability: the abolishment of plastic water bottles and non-recyclable food packaging, among others.
His greatest accomplishment is being part of the force of students that pushed the school to install solar panels across its campus. The campaign, which took the better part of five years, is the reason why Patana’s solar panels have reached their maximum possible output, and the school was recognised as having the biggest solar installation of any institution in Thailand in 2021.
tuesday
Ledoit wakes bright and early, starting the week with a light breakfast before he’s off to school. Once there, he begins the morning by checking his emails.
After catching up with his friends, Ledoit takes off for his first lesson of the day: Economics, which he takes at a higher level (HL). It’s a subject he’s relatively familiar with. “When I was free in Year 10 and 11, I used to read all the time,” he shares. “I read a lot about business, the history of economics, negotiation, and psychology.”
Two more lessons follow: HL Computer Science and standard level (SL) English Language and Literature. After that, he has Model United Nations (MUN), where he debates with other students on important topics plaguing the world. All of this has paid off. Ledoit’s landed a spot at The Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, something he credits wholly to Patana’s positive influence.
Ledoit wakes bright and early, starting the week with a light breakfast before he’s off to school. Once there, he begins the morning by checking his emails.
After catching up with his friends, Ledoit takes off for his first lesson of the day: Economics, which he takes at a higher level (HL). It’s a subject he’s relatively familiar with. “When I was free in Year 10 and 11, I used to read all the time,” he shares. “I read a lot about business, the history of economics, negotiation, and psychology.”
Two more lessons follow: HL Computer Science and standard level (SL) English Language and Literature. After that, he has Model United Nations (MUN), where he debates with other students on important topics plaguing the world.
All of this has paid off. Ledoit’s landed a spot at the The Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, something he credits wholly to Patana’s positive influence.
monday
Besides Economics and SL Spanish lessons, the middle of the week signals additional Theory of Knowledge (TOK) classes. Here, Ledoit and his peers sit down to plan out their 1,600-word research essay as well as an oral presentation on a topic of their choice.
“No man is an island here,” he says. “Patana encourages us to always help our friends — we’re like a family.” The school’s large Secondary Library, filled with the latest computers, plush armchairs, and dedicated study rooms, serves as their refuge.
Later, Ledoit steps out of his comfort zone and onto the field. He’s part of Patana’s track team, and has completed the bronze, silver, and gold Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) awards. The avid sailor — both leisurely and competitively for the Patana Sailing team — trains at a sailing club in Pattaya, which is two hours from Bangkok, too.
Besides Economics and SL Spanish lessons, the middle of the week signals additional Theory of Knowledge (TOK) classes. Here, Ledoit and his peers sit down to plan out their 1,600-word research essay as well as an oral presentation on a topic of their choice.
“No man is an island here,” he says. “Patana encourages us to always help our friends — we’re like a family.” The school’s large Secondary Library, filled with the latest computers, plush armchairs, and dedicated study rooms, serves as their refuge.
Later, Ledoit steps out of his comfort zone and onto the field. He’s part of Patana’s track team, and has completed the bronze, silver, and gold Duke of Edinburgh (DOE) awards. The avid sailor — both leisurely and competitively — occasionally gets sent to train at a sailing club in Pattaya, which is two hours from Bangkok, too.
wednesday
Thursday begins with a HL lesson in Computer Science, taught by another favourite teacher of Ledoit’s: Mr. Brettell. “It was quite a formative class for me, because I used to code haphazardly,” he explains. “Mr. Brettell is very organised, and has a spreadsheet of everyone’s grades, which motivates us to learn from whoever’s at the top of the class. It’s not really about competing, but more on improving yourself.”
He balances classes with his additional responsibilities as the President of the Senior Student Representative Committee. “I gained transferable skills like how to take minutes and how to lead people,” he shares. “You don’t learn that in class.”
Thursday begins with a HL lesson in Computer Science, taught by another favourite teacher of Ledoit’s: Mr. Brettell. “It was quite a formative class for me, because I used to code haphazardly,” he explains. “Mr. Brettell is very organised, and has a spreadsheet of everyone’s grades, which motivates us to learn from whoever’s at the top of the class. It’s not really about competing, but more on improving yourself.”
He balances classes with his additional responsibilities as part of the President of Senior Student Representative Committee. “I gained transferable skills like how to take minutes and how to lead people,” he shares. “You don’t learn that in class.”
thursday
No two Fridays are ever the same at Patana. Some days, the school organises “Fun Days” to raise funds for student initiatives. On others, special events are hosted to foster community and learning.
“My favourite is International Day,” says Ledoit. “I really enjoyed tasting the specialties of each country. Sometimes I’d meet parents and learn to say ‘thank you’ in their language.”
This is arranged in between Ledoit’s regular classes — as an IB student, it’s imperative that he keeps up with his curriculum. Once the final bell rings, he gathers his belongings and heads back home to unwind after another productive week.
No two Fridays are ever the same at Patana. Some days, the school organises “Fun Days” to raise funds for student initiatives. On others, special events are hosted to foster community and learning.
“My favourite is International Day,” says Ledoit. “I really enjoyed tasting the specialties of each country. Sometimes I’d meet parents and learn to say ‘thank you’ in their language.”
This is arranged in between Ledoit’s regular classes — as an IB student, it’s imperative that he keeps up with his curriculum. Once the final bell rings, he gathers his belongings and heads back home to unwind after another productive week.
friday
Bangkok is well-connected, allowing students to spend their weekends exploring the city. Sometimes, Ledoit plans to meet up with his friends at a mall, or try out a new restaurant with his family.
Other times, he catches up on coding. He has completed online summer courses at Columbia University and University of Chicago, learnt Python, and wrote a paper with two of his friends.
“I’m really interested in data science — how to handle large datasets and how to analyse them,” he explains. “I’ve started coding a bunch of algorithms to simulate trading and cryptocurrencies too.”
Bangkok is well-connected, allowing students to spend their weekends exploring the city. Sometimes, Ledoit plans to meet up with his friends at a mall, or try out a new restaurant with his family.
Other times, he catches up on coding. He has completed online summer courses at Columbia University and University of Chicago, learnt Python, and wrote a paper with two of his friends.“I’m really interested in data science — how to handle large datasets and how to analyse them,” he explains. “I’ve started coding a bunch of algorithms to simulate trading and cryptocurrencies too.”
saturday and sunday
Forming the foundations of success
Excellence is fostered from a young age. Patana understands this better than most, and gives its students plenty of opportunities to blossom.
Take Year 6 student Garam (Momo) Lee, for example. When she first started out, she was extremely shy and unsure about her place in the large school. The friendly and supportive community of students and teachers around her helped her step out of her shell.
Today, Lee is thriving. She loves music and takes full advantage of the school’s many fully-equipped music rooms to take lessons and practise her skills in singing, piano, Khim (a traditional Thai instrument), ukulele, drums, and guitar. She’s also played with the school’s Thai ensemble.
She’s grateful for the support from her teachers.
Excellence is fostered from a young age. Patana understands this better than most, and gives its students plenty of opportunities to blossom.
Take Year 6 student Garam (Momo) Lee, for example. When she first started out, she was extremely shy and unsure about her place in the large school. The friendly and supportive community of students and teachers around her helped her step out of her shell.
Today, Lee is thriving. She loves music and takes full advantage of the school’s many fully-equipped music rooms to take lessons and practise her skills in singing, piano, Khim (a traditional Thai instrument), ukulele, drums, and guitar. She’s also played with the school’s Thai ensemble.
She’s grateful for the support from her teachers.
“I spend a lot of time writing stories, poems, and articles.”
An enriching experience awaits at Bangkok Patana School
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