Highgate International School Thailand partners with Manchester City to deliver world-class football training alongside academic excellence at its new Chonburi campus.
PUBLISHED : 18 Sep 2025 at 09:36
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Bangkok, September 17, 2025 — Highgate International School Thailand has announced a partnership with Manchester City Football Club to launch the first and only Manchester City Football School in Thailand at Highgate’s new overseas campus in Chonburi.
Opening in August 2026, Highgate International School Thailand will bring more than 460 years of educational excellence from the United Kingdom to Southeast Asia. The school will offer a world-class teaching-programme based on the English National Curriculum, for students aged 2 to 18.
The partnership enhances Highgate Thailand’s holistic educational vision by integrating elite football training into the student experience. A certified Manchester City coach will be embedded full-time within the school’s sports team and curriculum, delivering a programme rooted in the Club’s renowned coaching methodology and playing philosophy.
Aligned with Highgate’s commitment to academic excellence, character development, and global citizenship, the football school will give students in Thailand access to the same high-performance coaching standards found in Manchester. The initiative is designed to foster personal growth, leadership skills, and physical wellbeing.
Located near the prestigious Siam Country Club, the new campus will focus on academic excellence and wholehearted participation, preparing students to succeed in an increasingly global world. The collaboration with Manchester City highlights Highgate’s ambition to provide transformative learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
Ben Keeling, Founding Head of School at Highgate International School Thailand, brings over 20 years of international leadership experience. His vision to establish a school rooted in kindness, aspiration and opportunity aligns closely with Manchester City’s values of development, inclusion and sporting excellence.
“We are thrilled to partner with Manchester City to introduce a world-class football programme for our students,” he said. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing an education that nurtures both academic achievement and personal growth. By integrating Manchester City’s renowned coaching philosophy with our educational values, we aim to inspire our students to excel not only in sport but in every aspect of their lives.”
Commenting on the partnership, Jorgina Busquets, Managing Director – Football Education, Recreation & Partner Clubs at City Football Group, said: “We are delighted to partner with Highgate International School Thailand, a school that shares our vision for holistic development and academic excellence. Through this collaboration, we aim to inspire students to reach their full potential both on and off the pitch, using football as a powerful tool for education, character-building and personal growth.”
The Manchester City Football School at Highgate Thailand will launch with the school’s opening in 2026 and will be available during the school day as well as through extracurricular and competitive sports programmes.