BISU: School as a Pillar of Stability

The British International School Ukraine (BISU), proudly recognised as the first Cambridge-authorised school in the country, stands as a strong symbol of this enduring commitment. As the only international school in Ukraine to have operated without interruption since the invasion in February 2022 — and to have reopened on-site in both Kyiv and Dnipro from September 2022 — BISU remains firmly committed to delivering high-quality education and steadfast support for students and staff, even in the most challenging conditions.This year, BISU marked its fourth graduation since the large-scale military invasion began, honouring Cambridge IGCSE and International A Level graduates alongside those receiving their Ukrainian secondary education diplomas. Each ceremony served as a significant milestone, a celebration of perseverance and achievement in the face of adversity."Much of what we have achieved as a school is thanks to the invaluable support of our global partners and advisors, with the International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment counted among our closest allies," says BISU CEO Anton Zastavnyi. "Thanks to the Cambridge Pathway, we have been able not only to sustain but also to progressively enhance our curriculum and raise the standards of teaching and learning."

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The Cambridge-BISU Collaboration

The school is determined to help elevate the broader educational landscape in Ukraine, equipping young people with the knowledge and skills essential for national recovery and future prosperity. To further this goal, jointly with Cambridge, BISU launched a significant new project to provide professional development (PD) webinars to teachers at Cambridge-authorised schools nationwide — a pioneering initiative in Ukraine."Through 2024 and into 2025, Cambridge and BISU extended their partnership to deliver internationally recognised qualifications in Ukraine with Ukraine’s Ministry of Education setting out our mutual interest in supporting education improvements in Ukraine more widely," says Stephen Murray, Senior Education Adviser Europe and Central Asia, Partnership for Education, Cambridge University Press & Assessment.In the first pilot PD programme, implemented from late 2024 until June 2025, Cambridge and BISU hosted online workshops for teachers from Cambridge International Schools in Ukraine, focusing on Cambridge Global Perspectives. Esteemed Cambridge experts led the sessions, sharing international best practices and innovative teaching strategies tailored to Ukrainian educators' needs."We chose to focus on Global Perspectives for the pilot as we think this subject offers the chance for students at every stage of school education to develop strong transferable skills, including critical thinking, research and collaboration," comments Rebecca Watkins-Wright, Curriculum Development Manager for International Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment.These webinars aimed to enhance teachers' professional qualifications, offer practical classroom ideas, and foster a community committed to global standards. By exploring Global Perspectives together, teachers grew more confident in using the subject to benefit students, developed new materials tailored to their contexts, and built connections with peers in similar situations.Teresa Okrasinska, Senior Regional Manager, Northern Europe for International Education at Cambridge University Press and Assessment, says: “We wanted to explore what could be done with Cambridge working remotely, in partnership with a local partner — BISU — who would lead in the country and also provide the critical local contextual knowledge to make the content relevant.” 

Voices from the Classroom: Teacher Experiences

Not only Ukrainian teachers benefitted; BISU's international educators working on-site in Ukraine also participated, gaining access to the latest research, tools, and resources.Christopher Johnson, BISU's English teacher and EAL coordinator, notes: "BISU's partnership with Cambridge has helped develop impact-resilient and vocation-driven educators who feel supported by the wider industry in our time of difficulty."Importantly, this collaboration was both professionally enriching and personally uplifting. Maryna Vostrikova, BISU Primary Teacher comments: "A pleasant and unexpected bonus for me was the support I received, personally and as a Ukrainian, from colleagues around the world during the courses. They showed genuine concern, compassion, and warmth, for which I am deeply grateful. It helped me to realise that we are not alone."

A Beacon of Hope for Ukraine's Educational Future

The Cambridge-BISU pilot PD programme has now been successfully completed. Looking ahead, Cambridge and BISU are eager to continue building on this partnership and explore ways to work with the Ukraine’s Ministry of Education to support teaching and learning across both public and private schools in Ukraine.As Anton Zastavnyi concludes: "As BISU and Cambridge join forces, they are setting a new benchmark for educational excellence in Ukraine. This initiative not only supports teachers' professional growth, but also strengthens the foundation for high-quality, globally relevant education for Ukrainian students. More than just a programme, it represents the power of global cooperation to create meaningful change — serving as an inspiring example for educators and students alike."This collaboration stands as a beacon of hope and progress, exemplifying the power of international partnership in shaping the future of education in Ukraine and beyond.P.S. Despite the sorrowful news from Ukraine, on 1st September BISU once again proudly opened its doors to students and parents in Kyiv and Dnipro.

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