Why a Student-First Philosophy Matters to Our Pioneer Families

For Pioneer Family parents Yihang Gan and Tongtong Xu, the decision to choose Dulwich College Bangkok was shaped by a powerful and reassuring belief: that every child comes first.

For Yihang, the defining moment came during a conversation with Adam Gibson, Founding Head of DCBK. During their discussion, Adam shared that when a child asks many questions, it reflects genuine interest and engagement. He explained that Dulwich nurtures this natural curiosity and helps ensure it stays with the child long beyond their school years.

This perspective left a lasting impression on Yihang and reinforced his confidence that Dulwich College Bangkok truly places students at the centre of its approach—not only supporting academic success, but also personalising each child’s learning journey. Through a wide range of activities, students are able to explore different interests, develop their individual strengths, and grow into confident, well-rounded learners with a lifelong love of learning.

Tongtong Xu was equally inspired by this student-centred philosophy.

“What convinced us was the ‘students come first’ idea,” she says.

She was also reassured by the academic excellence across the Dulwich family of schools, including the outstanding results achieved by Dulwich students in China. This strong track record, combined with a nurturing environment, gave her confidence in choosing Dulwich College Bangkok.

Together, their stories reflect a shared belief among Pioneer Families: that the right school is one where children’s curiosity is protected, their individuality is valued, and their future is full of possibility.

Watch Yihang Gan and Tongtong Xu share their story in this short video (1:43).