about us

our purpose

We believe that REAL Schools prepares children


  • For more rapid economic and social change than ever before
  • For jobs that have not yet been created
  • To use technologies which have not yet been invented
  • To solve social, economic and environmental problems that we do not yet know will arise

At REAL Schools, our commitment is to empower students to make a positive impact in the world, both now and in the future.

To equip students for success in the real world, we embrace an approach that nurtures both academic excellence and critical 'human skills'—such as critical thinking, creativity, leadership, empathy, teamwork, resilience, adaptability, self-motivation, and digital literacy.

Our Mission

Safeguarding at REAL Schools 

At REAL Schools, we are deeply committed to providing a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported. Our safeguarding policies are crafted with students at the centre, ensuring that parents can have complete peace of mind while their children are in our care.

We take a holistic approach to safeguarding, with comprehensive measures that include safer recruitment practices, thorough staff training, and clear, confidential reporting systems to manage any concerns that may arise. These protocols not only meet Malaysian legal standards but also reflect international best practices to prevent harm and ensure online safety. 

Our focus on safeguarding goes beyond compliance—it's about fostering a community where children can thrive, knowing they are cared for by trusted adults. We emphasize open communication with students and parents alike, encouraging everyone to share concerns and ask questions. We are dedicated to creating Safe, Happy, and Successful learners who aspire to positively impact others, ensuring your child's development in a secure, supportive, and inspiring environment. 

A Message from the CEO

XCL Education (Malaysia)

Anthony Partington

We believe in a Growth Mindset, that every child has the potential to succeed in their studies when they receive inspiration, motivation and guidance.


Read CEO’s Message
Anthony Partington
Chief Executive Officer, XCL Education (Malaysia)

At REAL Schools – International and Private we are focused on preparing your child for the real world.

Many schooling systems were designed for a different age – the age of the factory, the assembly line. Students were taught compliance rather than self-regulation. At our school, we believe that we should be teaching students to be resilient, adaptable, and able to learn about new situations and technologies and to work in jobs or deal with problems that we do not yet know will arise.

Our academic results are testament to the hard work of our students, the expert guidance of their highly qualified teachers and the informed support of their families. We believe that all our students’ families are part of our school family and that the difficult responsibility of raising children is one that benefits from being shared. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s learning and we provide them with weekly updates and information sessions, to provide the necessary support and reassurance.

We know that great learning does not happen through academics alone. Our school caters for the whole child. Through our co-curricular programmes, students are afforded opportunities for leadership and participation in experiences that develop aspiration, resilience, and the understanding of others. Success can come in different areas, and we celebrate all these achievements and accomplishments as a community.

We work on achieving great academic and co-curriculum outcomes for our students, so that they not only get to the interview for the next step in their learning or their dream job, but they also have the character and skills to secure those opportunities and thrive in them and life.

And above all we work hard to ensure that our students feel safe and are happy. We set a high bar for safety and the welfare of our students. By following the highest standards for child protection and for the prevention of serious harm and abuse to young people, we are meticulous in our checks on staff and in their training to ensure that the necessary steps and actions are taken to protect students and nurture their development in school and outside.

We hope that you will take the time to visit us, so that you too can experience what it is like to be part of us. I look forward to welcoming you to our school soon.

Our People

XCL Education Malaysia Board of Governors

YAM Tunku Ali Redhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz
Chairman
  • BA Hons – University of Cambridge – History and Social & Political Sciences
  • MPA – John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University – Public Administration
  • EMBA – Tsinghua University
Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, a graduate of both the University of Cambridge and Harvard University, is Chairman of Marlborough College, Malaysia; founding trustee and Chairman of Teach for Malaysia; and Pro-Chancellor at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.In 2013, he was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Previously, he worked at both McKinsey & Company and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and he currently holds other board and advisory roles at several corporations and non-profit entities including TPG Capital Asia.
Wan Hafiz Hamzah bin Wan Hussien
Governor
  • BSc Hons – University of Warwick – Economics
En. Wan Hafiz Hamzah Bin Wan Hussien is a Senior Advisor to TPG Capital. He started his career with CIMB Investment Bank in 2004 where he experienced roles in the Group CEO’s Office, Investment Banking and a stint in Indonesia with CIMB Niaga. He subsequently joined Khazanah Nasional’s strategy team in 2016 where he worked on projects involving Khazanah’s investment portfolio and overall corporate strategy.En. Wan Hafiz Hamzah holds a degree in Economics from the University of Warwick.
Gilles Mahe
Governor
  • Post-graduate degrees in Business & Finance – University of Paris-La Sorbonne
  • Post-graduate degrees in Philosophy – University of Paris-La Sorbonne
Gilles Mahe is the Group CEO of XCL Education. Gilles has worked in leadership roles across a multitude of sectors in Asia since 2000 and has spent ~20 years leading organizations and managing operations in Asia Pacific. He brings with him deep experience managing large service-oriented organizations, where he had the privilege of building diverse teams, working with passionate people, and nurturing a culture of collaboration and excellence.Gilles has ~7 years of extensive experience working in the education sector. Gilles was the Thailand & Myanmar CEO of Laureate International Universities, the world’s leading higher education provider, where he built and expanded Laureate’s activities in Southeast Asia. As the CEO, Gilles was instrumental in expanding Laureate’s presence in new geographies, launching innovative offline and online programs, turning around universities, scaling existing universities, and expanding the reputation and credibility of the overall group in Southeast Asia. As a father of three, he is a firm believer in the transformative power of education and the significant roles that schools play in shaping the lives of students and preparing them for what comes next.Prior to XCL Education, Gilles was the Asia Pacific CEO for OCS Group, the world’s largest family-owned facilities management services company. At OCS, he played a pivotal role in building out the leadership team, executing the commercial transformation of the business, and acquiring & integrating other facilities management businesses. He has also served as the Managing Director for Asia and Vice President for APAC of Sodexo Group, a Fortune Global 500 company that is the leading provider of Food and Facilities Management services.Gilles holds dual Post-graduate degrees in Business & Finance and Philosophy from the University of Paris-La Sorbonne in France.
Anthony Partington
Governor
  • BA Hons – University of Oxford – English Language and Literature
  • PGCE – University of Cambridge – Secondary English and Drama
  • NPQH – Institute of Education, London – National Professional Qualification for Headship
  • MA – University of Oxford
  • MA – Institute of Education, London – Media, Culture and Communication
Anthony is the Chief Executive Officer of XCL Education Malaysia. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Christ Church, University of Oxford. After leaving Oxford, Anthony worked in the City of London in public, media and analyst relations. A passion for English Literature and life-long learning led him to being asked to work first as a teacher as part of the reforms at a school in Bolton and then to Trinity College, University of Cambridge to train as an English teacher in 2002.He has worked at a number of schools in Cambridgeshire, England, including pastoral leadership and leading the internationally renowned English and media faculty across the Parkside Federation of academies in Cambridge. Anthony joined the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) in 2010 to support the improvement of Nene Park Academy, where he worked as Assistant Principal leading on the development of the sixth form, literacy, English as an additional language, special needs and latterly as the Vice Principal with responsibility for the curriculum, timetable and student achievement throughout the academy. In July 2014, Anthony was appointed as Principal of Stamford Welland Academy with the brief to deliver the ‘Stamford Free School’ vision. During his time here, the school secured its best examination results and Ofsted inspection judgment in its history. In September 2017, he became CMAT’s Executive Director of Education responsible for the quality assurance of all the academies and teacher professional development from initial teacher training to leadership succession planning and development.In February 2019, Anthony joined GEMS as the Principal of GEMS International School Tropicana Metropark, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Whilst completing a Masters with UCL Institute of Education, Anthony conducted research into and published on the teaching of literacy. He is a frequent conference speaker, presenting on school leadership and English teaching and editor of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘Twelfth Night’ in the Cambridge University Press Cambridge School Shakespeare series. Anthony believes in a whole education striving for academic excellence and great examination results, whist providing the experiences and building the character skills that student need to thrive in learning, work and life. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys travel, film, theatre, music, singing, running, and exercise.
Jiro Takahashi
Governor
  • MBA – The University of Texas, Austin - Business Administration
Jiro Takahashi is the Group Chief Financial Officer at XCL Education, having joined in April 2024. He oversees the Group’s financial strategy, including the development of financial and tax strategies, directing strategic business plans, and enhancing financial and management reporting systems. He is also responsible for maintaining key relationships and leading the finance team to support business growth and operational excellence across all markets.Jiro brings substantial financial leadership experience across the Asia Pacic region, specializing in corporate finance. Before joining XCL Education, he was the Chief Financial Officer for OCS Group UK, a global facility services provider, where he led the finance function across Asia Pacic, initiating strategies that significantly enhanced the region’s profitability and strategic positioning. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Thailand and corporate development for Asia Pacic at Laureate International Universities, overseeing the company’s financial strategy and contributing to the financial success of Laureate and its institutions. Earlier in his career, Jiro held multiple finance roles of increasing responsibilities with Yum Brands in the US and Asia Pacic.With over 20 years of experience in financial management, Jiro holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Texas at Austin. He has a proven track record of leading financial transformations, implementing robust financial controls, and aligning financial practices with organizational goals.
YAM Tunku Ali Redhauddin ibni Tuanku Muhriz
chairman
qualifications
  • BA Hons – University of Cambridge – History and Social & Political Sciences
  • MPA – John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University – Public Administration
  • EMBA – Tsinghua University
about

Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, a graduate of both the University of Cambridge and Harvard University, is Chairman of Marlborough College, Malaysia; founding trustee and Chairman of Teach for Malaysia; and Pro-Chancellor at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

In 2013, he was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Previously, he worked at both McKinsey & Company and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and he currently holds other board and advisory roles at several corporations and non-profit entities including TPG Capital Asia.

our story

Over 35 Years of Excellence

In over 35 years, REAL Schools have grown from a private school in a rented bungalow to 3 large purpose-built campuses in Cheras, Shah Alam, and Johor Bahru.

We provide both international and national curricula, offering students a diverse and comprehensive education. Over the years, more than 25,000 graduates have emerged from our schools, with many going on to prestigious institutions such as Cambridge University.

As pioneers in character education and the all-rounder model, REAL Schools now go beyond traditional academics by placing a strong emphasis on developing real-world skills. We empower students to explore their strengths, preparing them to thrive in life and succeed in their future careers.

our history

Milestones in Our History

1986

Later to be known as Sekolah Seri Suria and subsequently REAL Schools, Cheras Campus, begins operations in a rented bungalow in Cheras with a humble 40-student enrolment. This pioneer school was then under Education Ventures Sdn Bhd

1992

Sekolah Seri Suria (to be later known as REAL Schools, Cheras Campus) relocated to a new, purpose-built campus on a 10-acre site in Hulu Langat where the school is presently situated.

1994

The ‘R.E.A.L Education’ philosophy is conceived, leading to the writing and publishing of REAL’s very own curriculum which pioneers the practice of nurturing Multiple Intelligences within each student

1999

REAL’s second campus is built and launched in Shah Alam, Selangor to meet a growing demand for quality education

2008

  1. On 13 October 2008, Education Ventures Sdn Bhd officially changes its name to REAL Education Group Sdn Bhd in order to streamline all its business units under a single brand – ‘R.E.A.L’
  2. REAL spreads its wings south by having its third and newest member of the REAL Schools family in Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru joining the fold
  3. REAL Schools, Shah Alam Campus begins offering international school curriculum, paving the way for REAL’s two other campuses in Cheras and Johor Bahru to follow suit the following year

2020

TPG Capital Asia acquires a majority stake in REAL Education Group, thus making REAL part of Prestigion K12 Education (now known as XCL Education) along with KDU Smart Schools