Teacher reflections from MIT Teacher Professional Development Week: Advancing STEAM learning at St Andrews

Metacognition means thinking about your thinking. It’s the ability to understand how you learn, recognise what strategies work best for you, and take control of your own learning process. When students develop metacognitive skills, they become more confident and independent learners who can plan, monitor, and evaluate their progress effectively. Learn more about how metacognition is implemented into the curriculum at St Andrews and why it is such a vital skill for students to develop.

St Andrews Bangkok's research-led approach to early years education focuses on fostering compassion and empathy. Through the Nord Anglia Metacognition Project, a study using the Harvard "See, Think, Me, We" routine demonstrated a significant increase in students' understanding of kindness, shifting their perspective from self-serving actions to genuine empathy for others.

For families considering international schools in Bangkok, one of the most important questions is: How does this school help my child grow, not just academically, but as a confident, independent learner? At St Andrews International School Bangkok, the answer lies in metacognition, a teaching approach that helps children understand how they learn, reflect on their progress, and build the independence to succeed in school and beyond.

Metacognition, often described as “thinking about thinking”, is one of the most powerful skills a child can develop. At St Andrews Bangkok, it is not taught as a separate subject but embedded into everyday teaching strategies, helping students reflect on how they learn rather than just what they learn. By asking themselves questions such as What do I already know? Or is this strategy working? Students build resilience, adaptability, and independence

St Andrews alum Kazu, a valedictorian and Class of 2021 graduate who scored 44 IB points, exemplifies the excellence and resilience nurtured at STA. From varsity football and drumming in the school band to earning his Integrated Master’s degree (MEng - combined Bachelor’s and Master's) in Bioengineering at Imperial College London, Kazu continues his journey at the University of Oxford as a PhD candidate in cardiovascular disease and stem cell research.

Following excellent university offers and acceptances, strong BTEC outcomes, and another year of academic success, the Class of 2026 has achieved outstanding IBDP and IBCP results. With an average Diploma score of 34 points, well above the global average, and ten students scoring 40 points or more, these results reflect the strength of St Andrews Bangkok’s inclusive and personalised Senior Studies pathways.

St Andrews International School Bangkok is proud to celebrate a 100% pass rate in our 2026 BTEC programmes, with students achieving outstanding results and progressing to leading universities around the world. These results highlight the value of our BTEC pathways and the IBCP, combining academic learning, practical skills, and real-world experience to prepare students for university, careers, and life beyond school.

Our alumni continue to inspire with their creativity, resilience, and diverse journeys beyond St Andrews. Anouk Hufschmid Hirschbuehl, Class of 2018, embodies this spirit, completing the IBDP to pursue Theatre Design in Nottingham and further studies in London. She is now thriving as a costume designer at Switzerland’s national theatre, Bühnen Bern. Her story reminds current students that laughter, exploration, and the embrace of new opportunities are at the heart of every alumni journey.

St Andrews Year 12 students shone at the UK Chemistry Olympiad 2026, tackling questions that ranged from the chemistry of Doritos and swimming pools to medieval Uzbek mineralogy. Their curiosity and resilience earned impressive results: Kenji achieved Gold, Eclair Silver, and six students Bronze, with others gaining Participant Awards. Kenji’s Gold places him in the top 8.5% nationally and secures him a spot at the Cambridge Chemistry Camp.

St Andrews is delighted to announce the opening of its new Primary building this August, marking an exciting milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional education. Thoughtfully designed for both our youngest learners in Foundation Stage (FS1–FS3) and our upper primary students in Years 5 and 6, the building combines innovative design with a strong educational vision. Ahead of the opening, new families and students were given a special first look at the building, exploring the light-filled classrooms and shared spaces and experiencing firsthand the exciting opportunities it offers.