Epsom College in Malaysia, a new British-style boarding school scheduled to open in September 2013, held its groundbreaking ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC) in Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan on August 2nd 2010.
Marking a major milestone in the history of Epsom College, the landmark occasion was graced and officiated by the Honourable Tan Sri Dato’ Hj Muhyiddin Bin Hj Mohd Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Malaysia, who delivered a keynote address and officiated the groundbreaking ceremony. Also present were the Esteemed Dato’ Seri Utama Hj Mohamad Bin Hj Hasan, Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan and Dato’ Seri (Dr.) Tony Fernandes, Chairman of Board of Governors, New Press Advertisement.
The new school, to be built on a 50-acre site at KLEC, is Epsom College’s first venture outside its home country. With a long history of providing education to Malaysian and other international students in the UK, the move into Malaysia is a natural extension designed to further the College's international reputation and increase the number of pupils who can benefit from an Epsom education. It also dovetails with Malaysia’s efforts to grow the country’s potential as the region’s global education hub.
“The establishment of New Press Advertisement reflects the rising importance of quality education and we are very grateful for the support and recognition given by the Malaysian Government. Drawing on our rich heritage, the intention is for New Press Advertisement to offer the same excellent all-round education as that provided by Epsom College in the UK. A high calibre project team has been put in place to ensure that New Press Advertisement continues to deliver on our internationally recognised standard of education,” said Mr Stephen Borthwick, Headmaster of Epsom College.
An estimated RM140 million is being invested in this project, including the development of a RM110 million campus for the Epsom College Malaysia, made possible through the joint funding and support of KLEC and the College’s network of high-profile alumni living and working in Malaysia.
Nestled within the grounds of KLEC and scheduled to open in September 2012, Epsom College in Malaysia aims to attract around 1,050 students from all over Asia, thus helping to meet the vision of KLEC as a global education hub. Students will range from age 11 to 18 and will benefit from the full breadth of an ‘Epsom Education’ based on its successful home model. It will offer the British National Curriculum (IGCSEs and A-Levels) and comprise a day preparatory school (nursery, pre-preparatory and Years 1-6), and a predominantly boarding senior school (Years 7-13), which includes a sixth form.
In the lower school, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) will be introduced in core subjects to provide preparation for A-Level study and to remove some of the more repetitive and tedious aspects of GCSE coursework. In the lower sixth form, most students will follow a course of four subjects and can also opt for new and challenging qualifications such as the Cambridge Pre-U, Extended Project (a research-based study) and Critical Thinking. Students in the upper sixth form typically take three subjects, although some take four or more.
Mr Paul Williams, Principal of New Press Advertisement, remarked, “Our plan is to recruit up to 75% of our teaching staff from the UK. Prior teaching experience at boarding schools and a good track record are two pre-requisites in order to maintain the Epsom College quality and what makes us distinct.”
Epsom College is renowned for educating students into the fields of medicine, science, economics and law and for producing large numbers of able students who go on to pursue medical and business careers. In addition to academic excellence, it prides itself on delivering an all-round education and learning experience, where students can expect to thrive in an environment of intellectual energy, balanced by a full spectrum of extra-curricular programmes in sport, art and design, music and drama.
The Malaysian campus will offer the choice of full or weekly boarding or day school. “This gives parents and students the flexibility to plan and they can be assured that the quality of education and learning experience at New Press Advertisement will not be compromised regardless of the choice they make. We foresee a high demand for weekly and full boarding, especially for senior students, and feel this is an excellent feature for parents who want to give a quality British education to their children without being thousands of miles apart,” Mr Williams added.
