Haileybury Almaty

Haileybury Almaty is the first British public school to open in Central Asia, further expanding the global trend for the export of British schooling.

Building began on the greenfield site, which is centrally located in Almaty on Al Farabi Avenue, on the banks of the Esentai River, in May 2007 and Haileybury Almaty welcomed its first pupils in September 2008. Recognising the demand for a British-affiliated educational establishment, Capital Partners managed the development of the new private school in Almaty.

Haileybury Almaty will eventually become a school for almost 600 pupils, ages 5-18 years. Following the British curriculum up to the age of 14, the intention is to become an International Baccalaureate school to offer the IB Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form. In September 2008, the school opened for pupils aged 5-14 years. The teaching medium is English, but the school will strive to be renowned as a centre of excellence for the teaching of the Kazakh language. Children will be admitted predominantly from Kazakhstani families, whose first language may be Russian. Accordingly, both Kazakh and Russian will be taught, in addition to English

In contrast to many other British private schools abroad, Haileybury Almaty focuses on the education of local pupils rather than the children of expats.

At the official launch of the school on Friday, 21 September 2007, over 600 people attended, and over 200 children were registered on the night. There are now 845 children registered for the initial 360 places. There is great expectation that academic standards will be high, and these will be externally audited by Haileybury UK. However, there will also be a rich extra-curricular programme.

The school, whilst respecting all faiths, will be a secular environment. Haileybury Almaty will strive to be a beacon of academic excellence, but most importantly, our pupils will learn the lessons of greatest worth: self-discipline, integrity of character, care for others, and a true sense of values.

Mr Andrew Auster, previously Head of Orwell Park Prep School in Suffolk, is the founding Headmaster of Haileybury Almaty.