Global K-12 provider Cognita has acquired a school in Switzerland – its first in the country, making it the ninth nation the education company will operate in.
The International School – Zurich North teaches 205 school students from nursery to year 12 and is Cognita‘s 74th school globally.
“We want to ensure ISZN retains its individual identity”
“This is an exciting expansion within Europe, where we already have a strong presence in the UK and Spain, and our first school in the country where our majority owner is based,” Stuart Rolland, Cognita’s CEO for Europe said in a statement.
The company has 40 schools in the UK, and seven in Spain.
Cognita’s majority owner, Jacobs Holding, is also based in Switzerland.
“Jacobs shares our long-term commitment to the development of young people and with ISZN now joining our global family, we look forward to the positive impact Cognita can have in Switzerland,” Rolland noted.
“Each Cognita school has its own unique ethos and curriculum, reflecting the needs of the families it serves.
“We want to ensure ISZN retains its individual identity while joining in our common purpose to create an inspiring world of education that builds self-belief and inspires individuals to succeed,” he added.
ISZN will continue to offer the IB curriculum for primary students and the IGCSE and International Advanced Level courses for secondary students, and its founder Daniel Sarbach will remain in his post until the end of the calendar to “help ensure a smooth transition and continuity”.
“The three pillars of a Cognita Education – academic excellence, character development and a global perspective – fit very well with the culture and values that we’ve fostered in ISZN over the past 20 years,” he said.
“Being able to tap into the educational experience and expertise across the group will be a real benefit for our students and educators.”
Jonathan Taylor, the former program director for Dulwich College International in Guangdong, China, and current head of North Bridge House Senior School & Sixth Form Canonbury in London, has been appointed head of ISZN.
“The school’s mission to develop lifelong learners who are open-minded and globally aware is fantastic and I believe Cognita can help take ISZN from strength to strength,” Taylor said.
