Brighton College Vietnam, established in April 2022, accepts students aged 5 to 18, and follows the British national curriculum.
Tuition exceeds VND800 million (US$31,170) per school-year.
The campus, located in Hanoi's Gia Lam District, features traditionally Western brick buildings also infused with traditional Vietnamese materials such as baked bricks and bamboo.
The 2023-2024 academic year will be the institution's first, with over 300 students from 18 countries enrolled.
In the U.K., Brighton College is historic in that it was the first private school in Sussex, established nearly 200 years ago.
In Vietnam, the school has two main buildings, each with a large sky-lit atrium at the center to allow natural light.
The corridors are open with interspersed planters, creating a green atmosphere.
Similar to Hogwarts, students at Brighton College Vietnam are divided into four houses: Hampden, Fenwick, Chichester and Ryle.
At the fictional Hogwarts – a magical boarding school for young witches and wizards – the students are sorted into one of four houses based on their personalities and values: Gryffindor values bravery and courage, Slytherin prizes ambition and cunning, Ravenclaw celebrates intelligence and wisdom, and Hufflepuff appreciates hard work and loyalty.
Pictured is a Business Studies class for students equivalent to 9th grade in Vietnam. This course instructs students in finance, economics, and business management methods.
Brighton's library for middle-school students is inspired by the classical architecture of Keble Library at Oxford University, as well as certain details seen in the Harry Potter films.
Large tables are placed in the main corridors, with smaller tables under arched ceilings on either side, suitable for small group activities, or individual study.
The 9,500-book library hosts both classes held by teachers, like Reading Comprehension, and is also a home for students who want to study on their own.
Hogwarts traits can be seen in the dining space, which includes arched ceilings and long bench tables, reminiscent of King's Cross Station, also a highlight of the Harry Potter books and films.
Students have lunch in two shifts, with primary students eating first, followed by older students.
The lunch menu typically includes European and Asian dishes, with a buffet on Fridays. The price per meal is about VND100,000.
Students in the Design Technology workshop. Design Technology classes guide students through the process of creating a technological products: from problem setting, brainstorming, to producing hand-drawn and 3D designs on professional graphic software, followed by machining and assembly.
For general education students, the main materials used are cardboard, plastic, and wood.
The workshop is equipped with over VND8 billion worth of equipment, including mortising machines, drills, grinders, welders, laser cutters, and 3D printers.
Students perform operations here under the supervision of teachers.
The art classroom provides a place for students to explore painting and sculpture. This room is connected to the Design and Photography room, where students are taught design, photo editing, and film development in a darkroom.
Seven-year old students make pizza during a Homemaking Skills class.
Katy Pinchess, the primary school principal, said the subject is a compulsory part of Brighton College's unique curriculum for students aged 7-11. Students learn basic skills such as menu planning, cooking, laundry, and sewing.
The classroom is designed like a kitchen with cupboards, kitchen tools, and a washing machine.
The Music Performance Room.
In addition to this room, the school has 20 other rooms for individual music practice designated for specific instruments. The institution also boasts a Recording Room and a Music Technology Room with 18 modern computers for students to compose and edit their works.
Brighton’s 500-seat auditorium is designed for music and art performances.
The theater features a mosaic wall and a bamboo-domed skylight.
The main playground for primary students.
For middle school and high school students, there are outdoor tennis courts, a swimming pool, and several basketball courts, along with a gym.
