The UK-based Shrewsbury School is proud to bring British educational standards to Cambodia in an effort to contribute to the fast development of the sector and upscale the Kingdom’s education system to be competitive with the regional and global levels.

With its admissions team accepting applications for enrolment, Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh will offer a level of educational provision and pupil experience unrivalled in the country at present. The UK school won the much sought-after Best Independent School of the Year Award in 2020.

And the question that can be asked at this juncture is: “What makes British education great?” British education has long been recognised globally as the industry “gold standard”, and there are a number of reasons for this.

As British education is delivered through the medium of English – the lingua franca for the modern world and the language of international business – there are obvious advantages for anyone who leaves school proficient in communication in English, both in formal and informal settings.

Founding Principal Toby Waterson said Shrewsbury School in England is more than 450 years old and has a formidable reputation for excellence.

More than 20 years ago, Shrewsbury Bangkok was created in the same mould, with Shrewsbury Hong Kong established sometime later – and now Shrewsbury has arrived in Phnom Penh.

“Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh is the first premium British school brand to be founded in Cambodia.

“As principal of a brand new school in Cambodia, I think about how the establishment and growth of the school will be affected by and affect changes in the society and economy in which it operates,” Waterson said.

With Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh offering boarding – as well as top-notch day schooling – the Kingdom will begin to see families abroad choosing to send their children to Cambodia, reversing the trend whereby

currently some families in Cambodia send their children abroad for their education, he added.

“Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh looks forward to being part of this journey, not only serving those who are part of the school learning community, but also partners and agencies within the wider country.

“And I look forward to meeting everyone interested in being part of, or working with, the Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh community.

It is a very exciting time indeed to be involved in education in Cambodia,” Waterson said.

British curricula are broad based and provide not only rigour and development within core subjects and competences, but are also rich in options and personal pathways, allowing pupils to experience a wide range of humanities,

creative arts, sciences and languages.

The English national curriculum is modern, relevant and flexible. A focus on holistic education and the individual child are also hallmarks of a Britishstyle education.

Shrewsbury International School Phnom Penh is already open for children aged two to five years old at the Flatiron by Meridian in Phnom Penh City Centre.

The school’s main campus is set to open in September 2024 in Chroy Changvar district to the north of the capital.

The main campus will cater for primary and secondary age pupils, and provide boarding facilities.