International group follows up Zanzibar school announcement with foray into Eastern Europe.

Sir Steve Smith writes to international school associations praising the work of schools during the war in the Middle East, and apparently addressing concerns about Ofqual’s refusal to accept teacher-assessed grades.

The group has acquired Island Primary and Island Montessori in Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands.

From August 2027, two Haileybury-branded schools in Kazakhstan will switch to the Wellington brand – a move that may be due to increased competition in the country.

Founder Aatif Hassan tells Tes he hopes to emulate the group’s European success in the US and Canada, and confirms he still has designs on Middle East expansion.