British education within Kazakhstan

Many parents want to give their children a better education abroad and prepare them for international careers. However, in a foreign country, schoolchildren find themselves unattended and disconnected from their native culture. Fortunately, this problem could be solved as early as the fall of 2026.

The first partner school in Central Asia of one of the oldest and most prestigious private schools in the UK, Charterhouse, which was founded in 1611, will open in Almaty. Our editorial team attended a closed meeting with the school's director to learn all the details.

The school promises to combine British educational standards and Kazakh cultural identity. The program will include nine IGCSE subjects (British education standards) and subsequent A-levels (an advanced program for high school students entering universities). At the same time, from the first grade, children will study the Kazakh language, and from the seventh grade, the history of Kazakhstan.

The Charterhouse Almaty campus will include an innovation lab, six science labs, a 500-seat auditorium, as well as art and sports studios. The school is designed to accommodate 700 students.

The project will be led by Michael Seaton, an internationally experienced educator and winner of the UK Independent Schools Association's award for successful change management. He was previously involved in the creation of King's College School Wimbledon and Brighton College abroad.

Charterhouse's approach is characterized by an emphasis not only on academic achievement but also on the development of a well-rounded personality. Students will attend classes in music, art, theater, and sports, as well as participate in cultural programs that preserve the national traditions of Kazakhstan. For example, each school day will begin with the singing of the national anthem.

The education is based on the British model: lessons are held in small classes, which allows for individual attention to each child. The system involves a high level of student independence, the development of critical thinking, leadership qualities, and the ability to work in a team.

For senior classes, a special Innovation & Futures program is planned — it will introduce students to artificial intelligence, machine learning, entrepreneurship and modern technologies. This will help Charterhouse Almaty graduates to be competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Charterhouse Almaty will welcome its first students in September 2026, from Reception (ages 4) to Year 10 (ages 14). In 2027, the program will be expanded to include senior classes with A-levels (ages 16-18).