Reigate Grammar School becomes the first UK school brand in Vietnam!
A global epidemic isn’t the best time to enter complex international negotiations, but despite delays and disruptions, wrought by Covid, Reigate Grammar School International has succeeded in establishing a new educational partnership in Vietnam. It is the first of its type between a British school and Vietnam.
An official signing ceremony took place at the Vietnam Embassy in London, hosted by Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long and First Secretary Ms. Tran Huong Ly. Joining this special event live from Vietnam was the British Consul General for Vietnam, Ms. Emily Hamblin and our new partners, led by Chairman Ms Bich Thuy Mai.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Long said: ‘Education is a very important pillar of cooperation between the two countries…this is a flagship project and an example for others to follow.’
Consul General Emily Hamblin stressed: ‘This is a milestone moment for our UK Vietnam education partnership. We are celebrating the first independent UK school to have a franchise and trademark in Vietnam. High-quality education is needed now more than ever.’
The International School of Vietnam (ISV), in Hanoi, is a not-for-profit establishment that caters for children from pre-kindergarten to sixth form and serves both the international and local communities. It was founded nine years ago. Under the terms of the agreement, ISV will be renamed Reigate Grammar School Vietnam. A strong IGCSE and A-Level programme will accompany the current International Baccalaureate.
Ms Mai Bich Thuy, Chairman of ISV said: ‘We believe that this cooperation will open up many learning opportunities, allowing our students to grow, thereby laying the foundation for them to enter world-class universities.’
On signing, Sean Davey, Managing Director of RGS International, highlighted that there were also plans to open an International Sixth Form college in the city in 2023 and, potentially, a third school soon after. He said: ‘This is a great opportunity for us and a privilege to be able to take the outstanding education that RGS provides into a fascinating and vibrant part of Asia.’
Reigate Grammar School Vietnam will now join a family of RGS Schools, here in the UK, China and Morocco. At RGS, we relish the fact that all of us, our students and the whole Reigatian community are all part of a global community.
In his closing address, RGS Headmaster Shaun Fenton said: ‘It is a great honour to embark on a special journey to make this world better through the children in our care. Today we lay a founding stone for a global village and we prepare a bridge of understanding. We break down the walls of ignorance and prejudice and offer a hand of friendship instead. This partnership between RGSI and ISV is a blend of excellence. Together we can create a new paradigm and stronger version of international education. Every great journey starts with a single step.’