King's College School Wimbledon committed to bring British's authentic education to Vietnam

Dr. Anne Cotton, Head of King's College School Wimbledon, said the educational philosophy and authentic approach that have shaped the school's excellence for nearly 200 years, and which will now be brought to Ho Chi Minh City.

What defines nearly 200 years of academic excellence that is brought to King's HCMC?

King's College School, Wimbledon, the founding school, was founded by Royal Charter in 1829 and is one of the world's leading schools.

Our pupils achieve outstanding academic results year after year. In the Sixth Form, more than 54% of grades were awarded at A*, while 88% were at A* to A. At GCSE, more than 90% of grades achieved were A*, and 98% were at A* or A. These results make us one of the top-placed co-educational day schools in the UK.

Our pupils also go on to achieve exceptional university outcomes. This year alone, more than 60 pupils received offers from Oxford and Cambridge, the UK's two most prestigious universities. Overall, 97% of our Sixth Forum pupils progress to Russell Group universities in the UK or equivalent institutions worldwide. Pupils also receive offers from leading universities across the world, including Ivy League institutions and MIT in North America, as well as top universities across Europe and Asia. Our pupils go on to build successful careers across many different fields, from finance, medicine, and engineering to law, the arts, and entrepreneurship. Many also achieve national and international recognition beyond the classroom in areas such as sports, mathematics, music, drama, and design.

From R) Kieran McLaughlin, Founding Head of King's School Ho Chi Minh City; Dr. Anne Cotton, Head of King's College School, Wimbledon; and Sara Willis, Head of Primary. Photo courtesy of King's

Beyond academic excellence, what philosophy sits at the heart of a King's education?

Here we believe education is about far more than academic success alone. Our approach is rooted in the philosophy of "Mind, Spirit, and Heart," which sits at the center of a King's education and which is rooted in our foundation in 1829.

Mind is about academic excellence. Of course, that includes strong examination results and university outcomes, but it is also about developing the intellectual curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking that underpin deep intellectual development. These are the qualities of mind that help young people stand out in a rapidly changing world.

Spirit reflects our values as a school. We place great importance on kindness, support, and strong relationships because we believe happiness and well-being are fundamental to success.

Heart is about helping pupils develop the confidence and courage to become the person they want to be. Through sport, the arts, leadership, and wider school life, we encourage pupils to step beyond the classroom, discover their strengths, and make a positive contribution to the world around them.

At King's, we look towards life at 25, not just at 18. Ultimately, our ambition is to prepare young people not only for university but also for life beyond school and the future they will shape.

The school in Ho Chi Minh City is built upon the same values and rigorous standards that have defined the school in London. Photo courtesy of King's

What does "authentic" in "authentic education" mean?

King's HCMC is being founded to be a true and authentic version of the British school, built on the same values and the same standards of excellence. Together, we want to bring a very special type of education to Vietnam and to make a defining contribution to the opportunities for young people here in HCMC to create their futures.

The school in Vietnam will become part of our growing family of schools across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, sharing educational excellence and sharing opportunities for our pupils to develop an international outlook. For example, we are already working with our fantastic school in Bangkok on the potential for joint trips, projects, and exchanges. There is so much potential within the King's family.

When it is complete, our pupils will benefit from the most amazing facilities to support their education. But what lies within that, at the heart of our education, is far more than that. It is about the people and community that create a culture for our young people to thrive and succeed.

How does your team ensure that students in HCMC will experience the authentic education?

We are committed to sharing everything we have learned about educational excellence over nearly 200 years. To support this, we have built an international team dedicated to our global family of schools. Our colleagues from King's College School, Wimbledon are directly involved in areas such as staff recruitment, training, academic oversight, and quality assurance, helping ensure the same standards and values across every King's school. We conduct regular quality reviews through lesson observations, conversations with staff and pupils, and ongoing academic monitoring. We also provide continuous support across all aspects of school life, from university guidance to safeguarding and pupil well-being.

Students at King's School Ho Chi Minh City will have access to the school's global summer programmes and a wide range of opportunities to develop their skills beyond the classroom. Photo courtesy of King's

What opportunities does being part of the King's global network open up for students in Vietnam?

Both pupils and teachers will benefit from being part of the growing global family. We place great importance on professional development because we believe excellence in teaching is at the heart of every pupil's educational experience.

We have developed our own internal online platform to deliver teacher training programmes across our network. These are the same programmes used in Wimbledon and across our King's family. This allows teachers to benefit from shared expertise, collaboration, and best practices across an international educational community.

For pupils, being part of this family of schools brings opportunities to develop a truly international outlook and deeper cross-cultural understanding. Across the network, pupils already take part in collaborative online projects, personal development initiatives, and academic partnerships. Each year, we continue to expand these shared learning opportunities between campuses.

Pupils also have opportunities to connect in person through our student exchange program, which brings together pupils from across the global network. We are already exploring future collaborations and exchange opportunities with our school in Bangkok, alongside other King's schools internationally. As this family continues to grow, so too do the opportunities for pupils to learn from one another and broaden their global perspective.

Partnership is not simply about a name. It is embedded into every aspect of school life. Through King's College Wimbledon Ho Chi Minh City, pupils in Vietnam will become part of a truly international educational community, connected to the wider family around the world.

King's College Wimbledon Ho Chi Minh City, is set to open its first academic year in August 2027, offering a complete British education pathway for students aged 2 to 18. Alongside the official announcement of the school's establishment, the school has also opened its School Gallery at 179 Vo Nguyen Giap, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, offering parents and students the opportunity to learn more about the school's approach and future campus.

See here for more information about King's HCMC.