Globeducate welcomes new schools in Cyprus and UK

Globeducate has welcomed Educational Group OLYMPION in Cyprus and two schools in London, L´Ecole des Petits (Fulham) and L´Ecole de Battersea, announcing these acquisitions in the first week of the new academic year in Europe. 

Globeducate is one of the world's leading K12 education groups with 65+ premium bilingual and international schools in 11 countries, educating more than 40,000 students with a mission to prepare each student to become a global citizen who can shape the world. 

CEO of Globeducate Luca Uva said: “We are delighted to welcome new students and colleagues to Globeducate and look forward to working together to prepare each student to become a global citizen who can shape the world. Our world-class educational provision and shared values across our different clusters are proving attractive to many bilingual and international schools across the world and we thank each and every one of our global team for playing their part in this growing reputation for educational excellence.

Educational Group OLYMPION, Lefkosia, Cyprus 

This is a group of Greek private schools located near to Nicosia with the majority of students, nearly 450 pupils across Middle and High School ages, being Cypriot nationals. The first phase of a new elementary school opened September 2024. 

This prestigious group of schools focuses on private mainstream education and prepares students for the Greek Apolytirion examination, while also being an examination centre for Cambridge International Examinations, offering students the opportunity to sit English examinations. 

The school is fully recognised by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, and has 75 members of staff, led by the school's co-directors George and Maria Kritikos, and their son and daughter, Andreas and Christina. 

Paddy Jansen, COO Globeducate, said: “Our conversations with the Kritikos family and management team quickly highlighted many shared values and goals, which aligned with our existing Globeducate schools in Cyprus and our developments plans for the future.” 

The transaction was led by Globeducate’s lead legal advisors, Pittas + Koullouros LLC led by Panayiotis Koullouros, Operational&Educational: AfayaPartners, Real Estate: CBRE, Finance and Tax: Deloitte, and Commercial: Edacto.

L´ Ecole des Petits (Fulham) and L´Ecole de Battersea, London, UK

L'Ecole des Petits, founded in 1977 by Mme Mirella Otten, started in a small church hall in Chelsea, London and quickly grew in popularity. In 1991, the school relocated to a larger refurbished Victorian building in Fulham, Nicholas Otten her husband then joined, and they opened a sister school in Battersea in 2005. 

The school strongly believes that providing a bilingual education from the earliest age brings significant benefits to a child’s development. As an AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) accredited school, and a DfE (Department for Education) registered school, L'Ecole des Petits is inspected by both the AEFE and OFSTED. The school was the first independent “Ecole Maternelle” in England to achieve recognition for alignment with the French educational standards globally as an “Ecole Partenaire” in 1997, and retains this today. 

A safe and inclusive environment, where children and adults alike are valued, and supported, the team strives to ensure that every child loves to come to school and to learn, and feels welcomed, accepted and celebrated for who they are.

Fulham 

L’Ecole des Petits Fulham is an independent bilingual pre-primary school with an international flavour that caters for up to 120 pupils aged 3-6 years. 

Battersea 

L’Ecole de Battersea is an independent bilingual pre-primary and primary school founded in 2005 and caters for up to 280 pupils aged 3 to 11. Leavers at the end of CM2 can choose from continuing in the French system (Lycée Français) or moving onto a top English Independent school with tailored lessons for this option. 

James Polansky, CEO of Globeducate UK, said: “The commitment to fostering a love for learning and cultural awareness is evident in the school’s community and its dedication to bilingual proficiency, preparing pupils for a globalised world. These values fit very well with our wider Globeducate family of schools, and we look forward to welcoming staff from both schools to Globeducate. Like all Globeducate schools, L'Ecole des Petits and L’Ecole de Battersea pride themselves on their inclusive community and experienced educators who are passionate about education – in particular, in this case, early childhood education. Within Globeducate UK, the team at L´Ecole des Petits (Fulham) and L’Ecole de Battersea will have opportunities to connect with Stonar School, Boundary Oak School, and ICS London - all of which have successful pre-schools and primary schools.” 

Nicholas Otten, co-director, said: “We are delighted that our two schools have joined Globeducate, which will secure a future for our pupils and teachers that is truly international. L´Ecole des Petits (Fulham) and L’Ecole de Battersea will work closely with the group's bilingual schools in Paris, and the group's AEFE schools in Morocco and the Netherlands, opening new connections and professional opportunities for our specialist teachers in French bilingual education. Our vision of offering a truly global education will be enhanced by the opportunities Globeducate offers such as global events, and partnerships and collaborations with WWF-UK, Eco-Schools and LEGO Education. The next chapter of our schools´ story is set to be a new learning opportunity for everyone.”

The advisors for this transaction were Legal: Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Financial and Tax: Deloitte, Operational / Educational: Afaya Partners, Real Estate: CBRE, and Edacto for commercial perspective. 

About Globeducate 

We prepare each student to be a global citizen who can shape the world. 

Globeducate is one of the leading international K12 education groups in the world, a network of 65+ premium bilingual and international schools, as well as online programmes, educating 40,000 students in 11 countries.

Our schools specialise in a variety of recognised highly respected international curricula including the English National Curriculum (EYFS to A Level), International Baccalaureate (PYP to IBDP), and the national curricula of Andorra, Canada, Cyprus, France, India, Italy, Malaysia, Morrocco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the UK. 

Our students achieve high grades and are accepted into higher education programmes at 50 of the world’s top 100 universities. 

Being a member of Globeducate brings many benefits for our schools, students, and teachers. We are an official partner of WWF (World Wildlife Fund), and also work with Eco-Schools in each country, as well as LEGO® Education and, in our ICS schools, Arts International. Every year we host a wide range of global events, online or in person, such as the Globeducate Model United Nations, Academic Olympics, Visual Arts Competition, International Music Festival, Olympic Games and a Student Leadership Summit. For our Globeducate Agenda, students may participate in a WWF global quiz, Outdoor Classroom Days, WWF Wear it Wild Days, and Globeducate Debates. 

A crucial part of providing an excellent education, Globeducate teachers inspire our students to find their voice in this world. They encourage them to understand world events and to think about their values and what is important to them, and to challenge ignorance and intolerance wherever they find it.