Queen Anne International School - Erbil

Core Educational Philosophy

Queen Anne International School operates under a clear educational mission: to provide a comprehensive and challenging academic programme that prepares students for a rapidly changing world. The school seeks to develop committed lifelong learners ready for the responsibilities and expectations of global citizenship. This mission, published on the official CESK Education website, encapsulates CISQA's dual commitment to academic rigour and character development.

Individual Growth and Creativity

Beyond academic achievement, CISQA's philosophy places significant value on the individual. According to the school's LinkedIn profile, CISQ is proud to provide all the resources children need to succeed. The school expresses a wish that students flourish not only academically but personally, with particular emphasis on the intellectual and personal development of each child. This reflects a holistic approach common to leading British-model international schools.

British Curriculum as a Vehicle

The Cambridge Assessment International Education framework serves as the primary vehicle for delivering this philosophy. The progression from EYFS through Cambridge Primary, then Secondary Checkpoints, IGCSE, and ultimately A-Level examinations provides a structured, internationally recognised pathway. The rigour of Cambridge assessments aligns with the school's stated commitment to high standards.

Global Citizenship Focus

The school explicitly frames its mission around global citizenship — a theme that resonates strongly given the school's context in Erbil, a city that has seen significant international engagement. Students are prepared not merely to pass examinations but to engage responsibly and meaningfully with a changing world.

Full Cambridge Pathway

Queen Anne International School offers a complete Cambridge Assessment International Education pathway, covering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary (with Checkpoint assessments), Cambridge IGCSE, and Cambridge International A-Level. This comprehensive provision means students can progress through their entire schooling career at CISQA, from age 3 to 18, within a consistent and internationally recognised framework.

Assessment Structure

The school's assessment approach mirrors that of Cambridge international schools globally. At the end of primary and lower secondary, students sit Cambridge Checkpoint examinations to gauge their attainment against international benchmarks. At GCSE level, students take IGCSE examinations, and the academic journey culminates in Cambridge A-Level qualifications, which are widely accepted by universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and across the world.

Language of Instruction

All academic instruction at CISQA is delivered in English. This full English-medium model is consistent with the British curriculum approach and ensures that students are well-prepared for university study in English-speaking countries or in international programmes globally. Arabic may be offered as a language subject, reflecting the local cultural context.

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

The school is fully accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education and is a member of the Cambridge International Schools Network. This accreditation provides external quality assurance and ensures the school meets rigorous international standards in curriculum delivery, teacher qualifications, and student outcomes.

University Preparation

The A-Level programme is specifically designed to prepare students for university entrance. CISQA's mission to develop students ready for global citizenship implicitly includes readiness for higher education in leading universities worldwide.

Dual Campus Structure

Queen Anne International School operates across two campuses in Erbil, the Kurdistan Region's capital: the Farmanbaran Campus, which serves as the main campus and administrative hub, and the Massif Road Campus, which functions as a satellite site. Both campuses are located within the city of Erbil, with postal code 44001, making them accessible to families residing across the metropolitan area.

Facilities

The Farmanbaran Campus is documented as having a range of purpose-built educational facilities, including science laboratories, computer rooms, a library, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, two examination halls, and a cafeteria. Classrooms are equipped with projectors to support a positive and technology-enhanced learning environment. These facilities are consistent with British-model international school standards.

Scale and Community

With approximately 5,000 students enrolled across both campuses, CISQA is a large-scale institution by any international standard. This scale creates a vibrant, diverse school community. The school recruits teachers from overseas, indicating a genuinely international staff body that contributes to the multicultural atmosphere.

Location and Context

Erbil is a rapidly developing city and serves as the economic and administrative capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The city has attracted significant international investment and a substantial expatriate population, which provides the broader community context in which CISQA operates. The school's two-campus presence across different parts of the city reflects both the scale of demand and the school's commitment to accessibility.

Academic Year

The academic year begins in September, aligned with the British academic calendar, and the school follows a traditional term structure consistent with UK practice.

Cambridge Accreditation

Queen Anne International School is fully accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), the world's largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications. This accreditation confirms that the school meets Cambridge's rigorous standards across curriculum delivery, assessment practice, teacher professional development, and student support.

What Accreditation Means

For families, Cambridge accreditation provides assurance that the education delivered at CISQA is of a quality consistent with Cambridge schools worldwide. It means that IGCSE and A-Level results obtained at CISQA carry the same weight as those from Cambridge schools in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, or elsewhere. This is particularly important for families who may relocate internationally and need transferable qualifications for their children.

Cambridge International Schools Network

Beyond accreditation, CISQA is a member of the Cambridge International Schools Network. This membership connects the school to a global community of Cambridge-affiliated institutions, providing access to shared resources, professional development for teachers, and collaborative opportunities.

Implications for University Admissions

The Cambridge A-Level qualification obtained through CISQA's sixth form is recognised by universities in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and across Europe and Asia. This makes CISQA's graduates competitive applicants for international university programmes, directly supporting the school's stated mission of developing globally ready citizens.

Regional Significance

As one of the first schools in the Kurdistan Region to achieve Cambridge accreditation, CISQA has set a benchmark for educational quality in the area. The school's continued accreditation represents an ongoing commitment to maintaining international standards in a challenging regional context.

Origins and Growth

Queen Anne International School (CISQA) was established in 2007 in Erbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. At the time of its founding, there were very few private international schools offering a British-based, fully English-medium education in the region. CISQA positioned itself as a pioneer, bringing Cambridge Assessment International Education programmes to a part of Iraq that was rapidly developing economically and seeking international educational standards.

Expansion

Over the years, the school grew substantially. From a single campus, CISQA expanded to operate two campuses in Erbil: the Farmanbaran Campus and the Massif Road Campus. This dual-campus model allowed the school to serve a significantly larger student population, ultimately reaching an enrolment of approximately 5,000 students. This makes CISQA one of the largest international schools in the Kurdistan Region.

Curriculum Heritage

The school's consistent commitment to the Cambridge International Education framework — from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary Checkpoints, IGCSE, and A-Level — has been a defining feature throughout its history. This alignment with globally recognised qualifications has allowed graduates to pursue university education internationally.

Significance in the Region

As Erbil developed as a hub for international business and diplomacy in post-2003 Iraq, CISQA's role as a quality English-medium school became increasingly important for expatriate families, returning Iraqi diaspora, and local families seeking internationally competitive education for their children. The school's growth to ~5,000 students reflects the strength of demand for this type of education in the Kurdistan Region.