Q+A: Sara Brazendale, Managing Director, SPGS International
We spoke to SPGS International about the opening of its new schools across Asia and how the group is building on a rich tradition of progressive education to prepare the next generation of leaders.
Tell us about SPGS International and its shared ethos with St Paul’s Girls’ School.
St Paul’s Girls’ School is an extraordinary school. At its heart is a shared love of academic discovery, enriched by broad co-curricular provision, the kindest and most individual of pastoral care and a commitment to partnerships and service to others. For over 120 years, these beliefs have shaped generations of young women who go on to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.
Our students are our primary guide. The energy they bring, their intellectual curiosity, their desire to learn goes way beyond the confines of the curriculum. And this is, of course, testament to our amazing academic staff, the unique relationship they have with the students, based on discourse, enquiry, support, and listening rather than telling.
SPGS International is a wholly owned subsidiary of St Paul’s Girls’ School London. It is an extension of the same institution, carrying the same ownership, the same accountability, and the same standards. SPGS International was established to generate income for bursaries in St Paul’s Girls’ School.
Every international campus benefits from a close and active relationship with the London school, sharing expertise in academics, university progression, digital innovation and curriculum design. This is not a name on a building. It is a genuine and ongoing collaboration between schools that hold each other to the same standard.
SPGS International currently has a campus in Chengdu (China), which opened in 2021, and in Bangkok, opening later in 2026. SPGS International (Singapore) will open early in 2027. Each school is shaped by its own city and community while remaining connected to a shared educational philosophy that has been refined over more than 120 years.
St Paul’s Girls’ School was a forward-thinking institution when it opened its doors in 1904, and it remains one today. What SPGS International carries across cities and continents is not just a name or a standard. It is that same restless belief that great education should always be reaching for what comes next.
SPGS International Bangkok
“Ultimately, however, families are looking for international schools to provide a sense of place. A safe, welcoming community, which is so important in cities where families are more transient. What we’ve found at SPGS International, is that the international school often becomes the anchor for family life in a new city.”
SPGS International Bangkok opens later this year. What are some of the features it will offer?
We are thrilled to be opening SPGS International School Bangkok in September, which will be an exciting addition to our growing network of schools. Located in Rama 3 in Bangkok, the school will cater for students aged 2-18, with the early years and primary school opening this year, and senior school opening in 2027.
The design and layout of the school have been carefully considered to encourage an inspiring learning environment. The school offers interconnected learning spaces, exceptional sports facilities, and a Forest School, to name but a few highlights of the campus.
Are there plans for further SPGS International schools?
Looking ahead, we have plans to open in other countries in Asia and the Middle East, in line with our vision to create a small but carefully nurtured group of international schools.
Many future careers will be shaped by AI and automation. How are your schools preparing students for the future and jobs that do not yet exist?
St Paul’s Girls’ School in London is renowned for excellence in the sciences, computer sciences and creative technologies, and has long been ahead of its time in these subjects. The value of looking to the future, with a genuine interest, curiosity and adaptability, is something that we have embedded into our vision for SPGS International schools.
Our curriculum, which encourages a passion for learning, is demonstrated in the way we encourage students to read beyond the subject material. Our students are agile, adaptable, and intellectually curious to find solutions placing them in good stead for the future job market.
Our schools also ensure that we embed excellence in careers and higher education provision, which prepares students for life beyond school, and opens doors to new opportunities and networks. The aim is to inspire students with a regular programme of visiting speakers, university admissions tutors and subject specialists. The idea is to highlight the wide variety of options available, and the various paths to higher education, whether in the UK, US or elsewhere in the world.
What are some of the unique benefits of attending an SPGS international school?
SPGS International schools maintain a close link to St Paul’s Girls’ school in London and continue to be inspired by its ethos of academic curiosity and developing students who have a lifelong love of learning.
At our international schools, we offer a rich curriculum, inspired by St Paul’s Girls School in London. It features unique elements such as school directed courses, and which excel at STEM subjects as well as the humanities, art, music and drama.
In addition, the co-curricular programmes are exceptional, as well as the broader opportunities for collaboration and exchange as part of a network of schools. We hope that students who attend an SPGS International school will go out into the world with open minds and passion to continue learning, with a strong drive to make an impact on whichever area or specialism they choose.
How do you think parents and student expectations of international schools have changed over the years?
The international school landscape has become more crowded and competitive, so naturally families have higher expectations and demands from schools. We have noticed that families are keen to understand more about the alumnae network at our schools, as well as the higher education advice and pathways we offer.
Ultimately, however, families are looking for international schools to provide a sense of place. A safe, welcoming community, which is so important in cities where families are more transient. What we’ve found at SPGS International, is that the international school often becomes the anchor for family life in a new city.
What are your top tips on how parents should approach their search for an international school?
Each child is so different, so it is very much about finding the right fit for the child. It has to be a place where your child feels comfortable, settled and excited to go to school. Parents should consider aspects such as quality of teaching, the strength of curriculum and co-curricular programming that supports their child’s interests and talents. At a later stage, it is also important to consider future pathways, such as a preference for A Level or the International Baccalaureate.
Did you know?
St Paul’s Girls’ School London is home to many female pioneers in STEAM. Among its alumnae are Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray crystallography work was central to understanding the structure of DNA, and Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, the renowned astronomer who discovered that stars were mainly composed of hydrogen and helium in her 1925 thesis. Rachel Weisz, Academy Award winning actress, and Cressida Cowell, author of the How to Train Your Dragon series are among its alumnae who have excelled in the Arts.
