Our story
It began with a question in the classroom of an elite British school – a chance connection that bridged continents and inspired the founding of a world-class school in Almaty.
A connection that sparked a vision
The story of Charterhouse Almaty begins not in a boardroom, but with a question, asked by a teacher in the classroom of an elite British school:
“Is Zhangaskin a common Kazakh surname?”
The student paused. “No”, she replied.
Her teacher, a senior leader at Charterhouse, UK, recognised the name immediately. Decades earlier, he had taught a bright and curious pupil from Kazakhstan named Ilyas Zhangaskin – the first Kazakh student he had ever taught, who would become the first ever Kazakh national to attend Oxford University.
That chance moment of recognition reconnected two generations and two countries. And it led to a conversation that would spark the founding of Charterhouse Almaty.
The vision takes shape
Charterhouse ranks among the seven most elite schools in the UK, forming an ‘Ivy League’ of British schools, known for heritage, distinction and academic excellence.
When Ilyas Zhangaskin and the teacher met again, they shared more than just memories – they shared a belief: that Central Asia deserved a school of genuine global renown.
Ilyas, now a respected educational thinker and Independent Director of International Education Corporation (IEC), introduced the idea to his long-time friend and fellow educational reformer Aigazy Kusainov, Chairman of IEC and son of Professor Amirlan Kusainov, one of Kazakhstan’s pioneers in private higher education.
In 2004, Charterhouse, UK and IEC signed an exclusive agreement to establish Charterhouse Almaty – the first ever Charterhouse campus in Central Asia.
A legacy of learning since 1611
Charterhouse is one of the great historic schools of England and amongst the most beautiful.
Founded in 1611, Charterhouse is one of the world’s most prestigious and historic schools. It has educated generations of pioneering thinkers, creators and innovators, including author William Thackeray, scouting founder Sir Robert Baden-Powell, and the founding members of the globally celebrated music group, Genesis.
Charterhouse also played a foundational role in the creation of the world’s most popular sport, football, helping to shape the original rules of the game and pioneering the passing style that defines the sport today. Charterhouse pupils even won the world’s most famous club cup competition, the FA Cup, in 1881, beating Old Etonians 3-0 in the final.
More than four centuries later, Charterhouse continues to evolve – combining deep academic heritage with a future-facing approach to education. Its international expansion is highly selective, with overseas campuses established only in locations where its standards, values and ethos can be fully upheld.
Charterhouse Almaty will join this small global family as a flagship collaboration built on trust, personal connection and ambition.
An elite British education, proudly based in Almaty
Opening in September 2026, Charterhouse Almaty will ultimately welcome students aged 4 to 18, delivering an elite British curriculum taught in English by exceptional educators who will be recruited from some of the leading schools in the United Kingdom.
Graduates of this new school will be fully prepared to access the world’s top universities without the need to travel overseas and live away from their families.
But this will not simply be a British school abroad. Charterhouse Almaty will celebrate Kazakh identity, offering specialist teaching in Kazakh language, literature and history, and building cultural pride alongside academic confidence.
Designed to inspire
It will include state-of-the-art learning spaces, science and design labs, performing arts studios, a professional-standard auditorium and outstanding sports facilities, including a floodlit football pitch that will reflect the historic role of Charterhouse, UK in developing the rules of the modern game.
Every detail – from staffing to design to curriculum – is being shaped with care, quality and authenticity in partnership with our parent school in the UK.
June 2024
Collaboration agreement signed to launch Charterhouse Almaty
July 2025
Our Admissions Office opens its doors to meet students and families.
October 2025
Charterhouse Almaty proudly introduces its Founding Head – Mr Michael Seaton.
October 2025
Applications now open for September 2026 entry!
November 2025
Bright minds, big ambitions — Scholarship Programme applications for Years 8–10 are now open!
Look wide, beyond your immediate surroundings and limits, and you see things in their right proportion. Look above the level of things around you and see a higher aim and possibility to your work.
Robert Baden-Powell, OC, 1857-1941