Admissions

Charterhouse Almaty is the first overseas campus of the prestigious Charterhouse, UK, in Central Asia. Delivered in partnership with International Educational Corporation (IC), it will offer a world-class British education for students aged 4-18 years old.

September 2026 marks the school’s opening, offering Junior School (Reception to Year 6, ages 4-10) and Senior School (Years 7-10, aged 11-16). Sixth Form begin in September 2027 with the opening of Year, followed by full operations across all year groups (Reception to Year 13) by September 2028. The school will also open its boarding facilities in September 2027, providing a unique opportunity for students beyond Almaty to experience a Charterhouse education for the first time.

The School will follow a British-style three-term system.

Term 1: September – December

Term 2: January – March

Term 3: April – June

As is typical in the British system, there could also be a half-term break at the mid-point of a given term, usually lasting no longer than one week.

In Junior School (Reception – Year 6) pupils follow the UK-based curriculum, rooted in the English National Curriculum but further enhanced by the intellectual stretch of a Charterhouse education, while fully embracing the Kazakh context. There will be a class teacher model, but with specialist teaching in languages (including mandatory Kazakh language lessons for both local and expatriate students, from Year 1), PE, music and the arts.

In Senior School (initially Years 7-10) students will also follow a UK-based curriculum, rooted in the English National Curriculum but further enhanced by the intellectual stretch of a Charterhouse education, while fully embracing the Kazakh context. Students will be challenged to think deeply, to question intelligently and to pursue excellence, both within and beyond the classroom. Our rigorous academic curriculum will be complemented by a broad range of co- and super-curriculum enrichment opportunities. The curriculum for students in Years 7-9 will be subject based, offering a strong foundation in the sciences (taught separately from Year 7 onwards), humanities, arts and languages.

In Years 10-11, students will follow the IGCSE programme – the full range of subject options will be offered from Day 1, and will comprise of the following subjects: English Literature and English Language (worth two IGCSEs – core) or English as a Second Language (worth one IGCSE – only for students who are new to English), English Language (core), Mathematics (core), Kazakh (Qaztest – core for Kazakh students), Further Pure Mathematics, Biology (pupils must select at least two science subjects), Chemistry (as above), Physics (as above), Computer Science, Geography, History, Business, Economics, Russian, French, Chinese (Mandarin), Music, Art, Design Engineering.

There will be a maximum of 22 students per class. In the 2026-27 academic year, there will be one form entry per year group. Class sizes will be much smaller in our IGCSE options classes – this will enable us to offer a boutique, highly personalised academic programme to students in Years 10-11, with small group tuition from subject specialists.

Key elements of Kazakh culture will be integrated into the curriculum to ensure that our students are well-rounded and connected with the culture and heritage of Kazakhstan – while maintaining the high standards of a British education. This will include subjects such as Kazakh and Russian languages, and Kazakh History, which will be taught alongside core subjects like English, Maths and the sciences. By teaching both Kazakh and Russian as part of the curriculum, we will ensure that our students will become proficient in both languages. Although we will largely offer a British curriculum, subjects taught by our British teachers such as Geography, Music and Drama will be delivered in the Kazakh context – for example, Music will incorporate studies into the traditional instruments and musical forms of Kazakhstan, such as the dobra, Geography will explore the country’s diverse landscapes from the steppe to the Tian Shan mountains and Drama will include local folklore, storytelling traditions and language performance opportunities.

Charterhouse Almaty’s tuition fees will reflect the premium quality of education, facilities and staffing we will offer. As such, they are likely to be the highest in Almaty, while still remaining competitive for such a revered school brand as Charterhouse – this is because we are bringing one of the world’s most prestigious independent schools to Central Asia for the first time, staffed by highly qualified British (80%) and local educators (20%), and supported by world-class school leaders, teaching, learning and pastoral systems.

Our tuition fees for the 2026-2027 academic year are published on this link. We envisage that our published fees will be inclusive of tuition, meals, CAs (with exception of small number that will be delivered by external providers) – and we will provide clear details on additional costs (e.g. transportation), once enrolment is complete.

Yes, we will offer sibling discounts to support families with multiple children attending the school. It is 5% of tuition fees for the second, and the following children from one family.

Yes, we will offer a limited number of scholarships based on academic achievement and talent – these will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. Detailed information on the Scholarship Programme is available through this link.

The daily schedule will be structured yet flexible, ensuring a balanced day that includes core academic subjects, co-curricular and super-curricular activities, and breaks.

Graduating students will receive the internationally prized British qualifications of ICEs in Years 10-11 and A-levels in Years 12-13. These qualifications are highly respected by universities around the world, with A-level qualifications seen as offering the ‘gold standard’ for admission into top universities globally.

The enrolment process will involve different stages for different year groups; however all applicants need to complete an application form, meet with our Admissions Team, and pay non-refundable registration fee which is a compulsory part of the application process. For applicants entering Reception to Year 2, inclusive, the testing process will involve a short, play-based observation session of 30-60 minutes, either one-to-one or in a small group of children. Activities may include drawing, storytelling, free play and fine gross motor tasks. We will be assessing each child’s level of socialisation, language development, listening skills and emotional confidence.
For applicants entering Year 3 to Year 6, inclusive, a CAT test (Cognitive Abilities Test) will be completed – usually supervised at our Admissions Office in person. This will then be followed by a short English written task – this will be light-touch and age-appropriate, and more about identifying support needs rather than passing/failing. A short informal interview will also take place with the child (usually at the Admissions Office), either with the Founding Head or a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

For applicants entering Year 7 to Year 10, inclusive, also a CAT4 test (Cognitive Abilities Test) will be completed, which will then be followed by an English Placement Test (short, age-appropriate assessment to gauge curriculum readiness). Applicants will then have a student interview conducted either by the Founding Head of a member of the SLT.

Following the testing process, the School will be able to make a decision in regard to all applicants. Parents will need to secure place offers by submitting the requested documents and signing educational contract agreements.

Yes, Charterhouse Almaty will offer the widest range of such activities of any school in the city. Co-curricular activities will include sports, the arts, music and leadership development (including the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award). We will be the only school in the city to offer both a co-curricular programme AND a super-curriculum programme for Senior School students and the only one to include both as part of our timetabled school day, not simply as optional extras. Our super-curricular programme will extend beyond the taught curriculum and deepen academic thinking – e.g. philosophy seminars, academic essay competitions, independent research projects and critical reading groups – these are key for students aiming for global elite universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale. This dual approach will nurture both character and intellect – helping our students to grow as well-rounded individuals and highly competitive global applicants.

Yes, a House system will be implemented across both the Junior and Senior Schools. This will foster a strong sense of community and friendly competition between our students, providing opportunities for leadership, collaboration and support. Every student will belong to one of our four Houses, which will named after globally renowned former students at our parent school, Charterhouse, UK. In keeping with the traditions of Charterhouse, UK, siblings (brothers and sisters) will be placed in the same House as their other family members

Yes, homework will be assigned in both schools to reinforce learning and foster independence. The amount of homework set will gradually increase as students move closer towards their ICE and A-level examinations.

Although Charterhouse Almaty will be an academically selective school, children who are unable to speak English may still be admitted with acceptance contingent on commitment from parents to intensive EAL support to help them catch up. We will identify the level of EA support required at the application stage and during your child’s first term in school, before tailoring support through both in-class support and withdrawal sessions.

From Year 3 onwards, Junior School students without sufficient English will be placed in The King’s English Programme – designed fo students who are still acquiring the linguistic precision, fluency and confidence expected of a Charterhouse education. Here, they wil receive dedicated small-group support lessons to accelerate their acquisition of the formal English that will support their progression int the academic and social life of the school.

Yes, we will operate an ‘open door’ policy, allowing parents to meet with teachers to discuss concerns by appointment. This means that parents’ access to our teaching staff will not be limited to the termly Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Charterhouse Almaty will be an academically selective school and all applicants will undertake the same admissions testing process. Children with SEN who pass these entry requirements will be able to enrol at Charterhouse Almaty, on the basis that we will have determined during the admissions process that we can meet their learning needs through the support systems that we will have in place, which will include a Learning Support Department. The Learning Support Department will provide individual and group support, tailored to each student’s needs.

Yes, we can accommodate children with food allergies. May will have to submit all medical documents during the enrolment process, which will then ensure that their children’s dietary requirements are met in school.

Charterhouse Almaty will be a premium school – and so the quality of food on offer will reflect the quality of our wider school offer. The food at Charterhouse Almaty will be freshly prepared on campus each day by a team of experienced chefs, using high-quality ingredients. We will place a strong emphasis on nutrition, taste and variety to ensure that every student enjoys healthy, balanced meals that support their wellbeing and energy throughout the school day. Menus will reflect both Kazakh and international flavours, with vegetarian options available daily and adjustments made for specific dietary requirements.