Leadership

Bruce has been Principal of Rugby School Thailand since 2021. Before this appointment, he had been Head Master for 12 years of Sutton Valence School in the UK, a highly successful independent boarding school. Educated at King’s College School, Wimbledon, and Saint George’s School, Vancouver, Bruce went on to read Music at Cambridge University where he also undertook Postgraduate studies while teaching there. A highly accomplished organist, he was Director of Music at Christ’s Hospital from 2001 to 2009, having started his teaching career at Christ’s College in Wales and at Bedford School, where he was a boarding housemaster.

Ratchadaporn Jaikla (Kru Aoi) began working at Rugby School Thailand in 2019
as the School Registrar. She also supervises the Territorial Defence Student
Programme under the training of the 14th Military Circle's Territorial Defence Student Training Centre in Chonburi Province.

In 2023, she was awarded the Outstanding Territorial Defence Student Supervisor
Award by the Commander of the 14th Military Circle. In 2024, she received the
“Outstanding Private School Teacher of Chonburi” award from the Chonburi
Provincial Education Office.

Kru Aoi holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Phranakhon Rajabhat Institute in Bangkok, and a Master of Education degree from Ramkhamhaeng University, also in Bangkok.

Before joining Rugby School Thailand, she had teaching experience at Srivikorn
School in Bangkok starting in 1983. She served as Deputy Director of Academic
Affairs and later as School Director from 2013 to 2018. Kru Aoi also completed the 47th Regional Territorial Defence Student Supervisor Training Course in 2022. As of December 2024, she has taken on the role of Thai Principal at Rugby School Thailand.

Tuke joined Rugby School Thailand in 2019 as CFO and is responsible for all of the School’s financial functions, including accounting, audits and corporate finance. She also oversees budgetary and financial planning, financial systems and procurement services to support all functions at the School.

She has over 20 years of experience in finance and administration in various sectors including retail, hospitality, and manufacturing and has undertaken financial analysis of M&A projects in the UK. Tuke received her BA in Accounting from Assumption University, Thailand and has an MBA in Finance from Sacred Heart University, United States.

Virginia is a seasoned leader and board director with a diverse background across the for-profit, nonprofit, and international development sectors. She has led both commercial enterprises and non-profit organizations, including serving as the Global Chief Operating Officer for an INGO focused on developing government partnerships and building infrastructure to support at-risk children in Asia.

Virginia has held senior roles in communications, media, and arts management, including launching STAR TV across Asia. She currently serves on the boards of the Addecco Group Foundation, Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong, and the Child Development Centre. Virginia previously served as a board member of the English Schools Foundation (ESF).

Through her wide-ranging executive and board experience, Virginia has demonstrated a strong track record of driving positive change, scaling high-impact programs, and fostering productive government relationships in support of vulnerable populations.

Paul has over two decades of experience in the education sector, where he has contributed to the development of schools across Asia and Europe. His qualifications include CELTA, Dip. TEFL,  BA (Hons) in Business and Enterprise, and MSc in Digital Business. Paul has strong family ties to Rugby School Thailand. His wife is Assistant Head of Pre-Prep, his daughter is an alumna currently studying in the UK, and his son is studying A Levels at the School. This familial involvement grants him a deep understanding of Rugby School Thailand, which enables him to provide invaluable assistance to prospective families.

Originally from Cornwall, Ryan has been an educator for nearly two decades. He studied at Durham University, alongside a career as a professional cricketer. Ryan's teaching journey includes ten years at a senior state school in Jersey, followed by four years at a local prep school. During his time there, Ryan held various positions of responsibility, gaining valuable experience in both pastoral and academic roles.

He joined RST in 2019 with his wife and two boys, who are currently in the Senior School. He takes immense pride in developing student leadership programmes and says that "watching students transform into confident leaders, armed with life skills, has been a constant source of inspiration".

Prior to joining RST in 2017, Sarah has worked both internationally and in the UK as a Head.  Her experience spans Pre-Prep and Prep but her passion is the Early Years. Her qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in English with Qualified Teacher Status and EAL training. She has been a CIS accreditor and is now working with COBIS supporting accreditations of other schools. Sarah is also an experienced Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Sarah’s family is closely linked to RST with her husband also working in the Pre-Prep and her son is currently studying for his  A-levels.  Having joined when the School opened in 2017, Sarah  has seen much change and is proud to have been part of RST’s foundations.

Kirsty joined RST in 2019 after teaching in China for 3 years and the UK for 9 years. She graduated with two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from The Bishop Grosseteste Teaching University in the UK. 

Kirsty is also a certified leader in education, having completed her National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership in 2016 and the National Professional Qualification in Leading Teacher Development in 2023.

Having worked in both Pre-Prep and Prep environments, Kirsty possesses a well-rounded perspective on education. Her expertise extends beyond the classroom; she is a trusted mentor known for guiding educators to the highest standards.

Kathy joined RST in 2022 having worked internationally for eleven years in Brunei, China and Thailand. Kathy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status and is a Certified Tutor for various EAL courses. She is also a CIS accreditor. Having worked as a Primary Head for a number of years, Kathy has followed her passion for supporting children with Special Educational Needs and is currently studying for her SENCO qualification with the University of Sunderland in the UK.

Her husband also works at RST and her daughter is in the Senior School. She also has a son in the Royal Navy in the UK.   

Sophie, a dedicated educator from the UK, joined Rugby School Thailand in 2019, bringing her wealth of experience from early years settings in the UK and China, where she had the privilege of nurturing children aged 12 months to 5 years old. Her journey as an educator spans over two decades, during which she has flourished in diverse educational environments, solidifying her commitment to the growth and development of young minds. For Sophie, teaching is more than a profession; it's a lifelong passion. Her extensive educational background underscores her commitment to excellence. She holds a National Diploma in Nursery Nursing,  a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons.) in Early Childhood Studies, accompanied by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with Qualified Teacher Status.

Beyond her professional role, Sophie has deep family ties to Rugby School Thailand. Her husband serves as the Director of Admissions and Marketing, her daughter is an alumna currently pursuing studies in the UK, and her son is currently studying his A-levels. This familial connection underscores Sophie's commitment to the school's vibrant community and educational mission.

Sara is a founding member of the School, joining RST in 2017 as the Deputy Head Academic of the Prep School. She is now in her fourth year as Head of Prep and is joined by her husband, Will, Deputy Head Pastoral, and children, Lily and Charlie. Before moving to Thailand, Sara taught for 11 years at a London Prep School, where she was Head of French, Director of Studies and then Assistant Head Academic.

Sara is continuously engaged in academic research and, after gaining her postgraduate teaching qualification, completed a Masters in Learning and Teaching. Her engagement in education has led her to joining the Peer Accreditation team at COBIS, which takes her to schools around Asia. She has a keen interest in reading and enjoys spending time in the Prep School library.

Hannah has joined RST from the UK, along with her husband, Chris, and two daughters, Lottie and Pippa. As an experienced classroom practitioner, she has taught across the whole prep age range and will specialise in teaching English here. She has worked in a number of highly regarded UK Prep Schools in positions of responsibility, such as Assistant Head Academic at Taunton Prep School and Senior Tutor at Millfield Prep School, as well as leading the training and development programme for newly qualified teachers in her region.

Hannah's passion for teaching and learning began with a degree in Early Childhood Studies from the University of Warwick, which led her to pursue a path into teaching, gaining her PGCE from Bath Spa University. She enjoys reading the latest educational research to keep abreast of changes in teaching strategies, models of learning, curriculum development and innovation. 

In her spare time, Hannah loves nurturing her talents as a musician and singer. She has sung with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, touring America with them, as well as performing for the National Youth Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. Hannah has embraced the opportunity to join the RST staff choir and hopes to join the School orchestra soon, where she will play the clarinet alongside students. 

Will is now in his fourth year as Deputy Head, Pastoral, having moved to Thailand as Head of Maths, and a founding member of RST, in 2017. 

His undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of York, led Will to pursue postgraduate studies in education at the University of Cambridge. Will has since worked in leading prep schools for many years and has held a wide range of roles, including Head of Games, Head of Co-curricular activities, Head of House, Head of Year and Head of Department.

Will is married to Sara, Head of Prep, and they have two children at the School. He enjoys sports of all kinds, particularly football, and can often be found on the sidelines coaching sport to students of all ages.

Since joining in 2019, Nic has taught mathematics across Years 4 to 8 and, for the past four years, has served as Head of Mathematics in the Prep School.

Nic’s wife, Alison, is the Day Matron in Rupert Brooke House, and their daughter, Annie, attended both the Prep and Senior Schools, graduating from Year 13 in 2025. Their eldest daughter, Grace, is a nurse working in Western Australia.

Before moving to Thailand, Nic taught at several leading international schools, including Jerudong International School (Brunei), Tanglin Trust School (Singapore), and Brighton College Al Ain (UAE).

Nic holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of Birmingham and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Manchester. He has a keen interest in evidence-based educational research and is currently completing his National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL), accredited by the Department for Education, UK.

Outside the classroom, Nic enjoys reading — particularly science fiction and high fantasy, with The Lord of the Rings among his favourite books.

Robert Groves joined RST in 2022 as the Head of the Senior School. Prior to this, Robert was a Deputy Head Academic in a highly successful school in Bangkok. He graduated from Durham with a Natural Sciences degree and has a passion for teaching Mathematics and leads a current affairs club in the School. Robert is joined by his wife and two children who enjoy life at RST.  

Lilla read English Literature at Cambridge University, and completed her PhD at University College London.  Before entering the teaching profession, she worked in publishing and Public Relations.  She taught English Language and Literature at Christ’s Hospital School, before becoming Head of English at Sutton Valence School, where she also ran the Scholar programme.  From Sutton Valence, she moved to become Head of English at King’s Canterbury, the oldest public school in the UK.  

Lilla is the author of the academic book ‘Queen of Heaven’, and writes regularly for English teaching and learning publications.  She is married to Bruce, the Principal, and they have two children: Jess, who graduated in Maths and Philosophy from Oxford and is currently a data analyst for the UK government, and Sam, who is reading History at Edinburgh. 

Prior to coming to RST, David worked at Ampleforth College and Uppingham School as Director of Sport, then as a Housemaster of a highly successful boarding house in Scotland. He came to Thailand as Deputy Head Pastoral to set up the Senior section of the School in 2018, with his wife Donna who leads the History department here, as she did in the UK. David is a Loughborough University graduate who now has almost twenty-five years of experience in the independent boarding sector.

Donna and David have four children and live in School House, the boys boarding house. His passion is the ‘boarding family’, alongside reading, travel and sport.

Before assuming his role at RST in 2023, Greg spearheaded the Sixth Form and served as the Director of Outreach at a reputable school in Bangkok. Equipped with degrees from the University of Sussex and the University of London, Greg has always been passionate about education. His postgraduate research focuses on modernising the school experience, with the aim of aligning education with the demands of a young person’s future, rather than our past.

In addition to being a published author, he's no stranger to the media or international collaboration, having led projects and presented at conferences across South East Asia, the US, Canada, and the UK. His contributions to education earned him a Fellowship of the Chartered College of Teaching in 2021. A dedicated family man, Greg is the proud father of two girls and a devoted husband to Sarah, eagerly anticipating what lies ahead in his career at RST.