Simon Mills’ journey into education wasn’t a straightforward one. After graduating from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Geography, he found himself torn between the world of business and the classroom. “I wanted to experience an introduction to high-quality management training,” he recalls. This curiosity led him to join BP’s graduate scheme, where he gained an insider’s view of leadership within a top-tier corporate setting. For two years, Simon immersed himself in the structured world of business, working with several well-known UK companies.
However, it wasn’t long before he realized that his true calling was in teaching. The skills he picked up in the business world—communication, organization, and leadership—proved invaluable when he decided to step into education. “It was very helpful to experience another work setting first and then make my decision to work in education,” Simon reflects. This solid foundation shaped his approach to leadership, giving him a broader perspective on managing teams and inspiring people.
His time at Cambridge had ignited a deep passion for understanding the complexities of our world. “The Geography course at Cambridge was both demanding and broad, and it lit an academic fire that has never gone out,” Simon shares. He believes that it is essential for young people to grasp the environmental, economic, and political challenges we face and how human actions intersect with natural systems. This belief forms the core of his educational philosophy today.
At Haileybury Almaty, Simon emphasizes the importance of environmental literacy. He is a firm advocate of integrating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum, making sustainability as crucial as digital or financial literacy. “We need all our students to understand and participate in the opportunities of the emerging green economy,” he says. Initiatives like the Eco-Schools Award and Scholars in Sustainability are just some of the platforms where students at Haileybury Almaty can develop their environmental leadership skills.
Simon’s career in education has spanned various roles—from leading a department to serving as a Housemaster in boarding, and ultimately, taking up headship positions in three different schools. “Every day is a new learning challenge and a most enjoyable one,” he remarks. Through it all, he remains deeply impressed by the dedication and passion of his colleagues. He values the opportunities to collaborate with global educators through organizations like the Global Alliance for Innovative Learning (GAIL), FOBISIA, and COBIS. These platforms provide a wealth of shared insights and professional development that keep him at the forefront of educational innovation.
For Simon, it’s not just about preparing students for exams but equipping them to thrive in an ever-changing world. By cultivating partnerships with institutions like MIT’s MISTI Global Teaching Labs program, he’s ensuring that Haileybury Almaty remains a place where young leaders can grow, innovate, and make a real impact.
Empowering Global Leaders of Tomorrow
Simon believes that shaping young leaders is about more than just academics. It’s about nurturing empathy, resilience, and a global mindset. His experience at Haileybury Almaty has shown him that true leadership starts in the classroom and extends far beyond it. Watching students grow into responsible, caring, and engaged individuals is what motivates him every day. “It fills me with pride and positivity to see capable, responsible, and caring young people leave school and enter global leading universities,” he says.
At Haileybury Almaty, the focus is on building young leaders who are not just successful in their academic pursuits but are also committed to their communities. This growth begins early and continues through service learning projects and volunteer work. Students engage in meaningful activities like supporting local orphanages or women’s shelters, which helps them develop maturity and a deep sense of responsibility. Mills sees this as crucial to shaping well-rounded individuals. He’s often amazed by how students initiate projects that tackle real-world challenges with creativity and optimism.
The goal is to create young adults who are kind, driven, and conscious of their role in society. These human skills, he believes, are more important than ever in a digital age where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries. As he puts it, “Human skills of empathy and compassion are more important than ever before and are both hard to quantify and subtle to develop.” For Mills, the task of instilling these traits is a team effort, where teachers lead by example, fostering a respectful and nurturing environment for all.
Celebrating Kazakhstan’s Rich Heritage
Haileybury Almaty is unique, blending a British independent education with Kazakhstan’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Mills is keenly aware that being an expatriate in Kazakhstan comes with the privilege of working in a rapidly developing country that holds a deep sense of history and nationhood. The landscape, from the majestic Tien Shan mountains to the expansive Kazakh Steppe, is a testament to the country’s natural beauty. Mills admits that he didn’t know much about Kazakhstan before coming here, but he has since gained a deep appreciation for its diversity and the harmony of its 100-plus ethnic groups.
Kazakhstan’s independence is still relatively young, yet it has made significant strides in areas like digital and financial skills. Mills sees this as an exciting backdrop for education, where tradition meets innovation. At Haileybury Almaty, the Kazakh language is an essential part of the curriculum, ensuring that students leave fluent in three languages. This trilingual proficiency is something that never fails to impress Mills. “Nearly all school leavers are fluent in three languages by the time they leave, which astounds me,” he shares.
The school takes pride in celebrating Kazakh culture through events like Nauryz and by integrating local literature, traditions, and history into the curriculum. Mills believes this approach not only roots students in their cultural identity but also prepares them to navigate the global stage with a strong sense of respect and adaptability.
Creating a Learning Community
Running a school like Haileybury Almaty comes with its own set of challenges, but for Mills, it’s all about building a passionate learning community. Recruiting and retaining top talent is key, and the unique opportunities in Kazakhstan often surprise international staff who aren’t familiar with the country’s high quality of life and scenic alpine environment.
What sets Haileybury Almaty apart is its not-for-profit status, which allows the school to offer scholarships to many deserving Kazakh students. This openness adds to the school’s diverse and balanced community, something Mills values deeply. The focus, however, isn’t just on academic success. The school’s Critical Curriculum aims to shape young entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and critical thinkers who are ready for future careers. Partnerships with global institutions like MIT ensure that students have access to cutting-edge ideas and entrepreneurial approaches.
Technology is rapidly changing the educational landscape, and Haileybury Almaty embraces these shifts while teaching students to navigate the digital world responsibly. Mills sees opportunities, not obstacles, in these changes. “We are very fortunate to have a school community who sees these as opportunities to grow and move forward, which is a great perspective,” he says.
Building for the Future
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Haileybury Almaty has continued to grow steadily, both in numbers and in vision. The school has ambitious plans for expanding its facilities, including a new Early Years section to offer a Haileybury education from the very start. The Sixth Form is also evolving, with more focus on university counseling and creating pathways to top global institutions.
The school’s commitment to scholarships remains strong, supporting gifted Kazakh students and ensuring they have the tools to excel. These students often go on to become remarkable alumni, giving back to the school through mentorship programs and university boot camps. The aim is to build a community that extends far beyond the classroom.
One area of focus is digital literacy. From robotics to coding, Haileybury Almaty ensures that every student is equipped with the skills needed in an increasingly digital world. Annual competitions like the First Tech Challenge provide platforms for students to showcase their talents and work collaboratively.
Mills is keenly aware that the demand for these digital skills will only grow. But he’s equally focused on fostering emotional resilience, kindness, and self-regulation. “We are focusing further on developing student and staff wellbeing through programs to enhance resilience, kindness, and self-regulation so that young people can live sustainable and meaningful lives that enhance society and give them an emotional toolkit for life ahead,” he explains. For Mills, this is the legacy Haileybury Almaty is building—creating confident, creative, and compassionate individuals who are equipped to make a difference in a rapidly changing world.
Blending International and British Curricula for Holistic Education
At Haileybury Almaty, the fusion of the British National Curriculum with international educational pathways offers students more than just an academic advantage—it shapes them into well-rounded individuals prepared for global success. The IGCSE and A-Level programs provide access to the world’s top universities, with recent graduates earning placements at prestigious institutions like MIT, Caltech, Yale, Cambridge, Oxford, and Stanford, to name a few.
Both qualifications emphasize independent learning and the mastery of subject expertise. Over the past five years, the school has championed a High Performance Learning (HPL) approach for its students, aiming to cultivate critical thinking and effective learning behaviors. According to Simon, “The development of ‘how great learners think and how great learners behave’ has been a rewarding journey, as students better understand the core components of effective learning.”
Staying ahead of the curve, Haileybury Almaty is committed to continuous professional development. Weekly CPD sessions ensure that teaching practices are not only refined but also aligned with the latest advancements in neuroscience and educational pedagogy. “It’s an honor to work alongside such passionate and dedicated staff who strive to elevate the educational experience for young people each year,” Simon Mills reflects. This shared commitment translates into an engaging and enriching environment for both educators and students alike.
Navigating the Digital Age with Balance and Integrity
Digital education at Haileybury Almaty isn’t just about screen time—it’s about integrating technology into a broader learning landscape that includes art, science, sports, and traditional academics. Each student is equipped with their own device, used daily for a variety of learning contexts, from laboratory work and creative projects to collaborative research and communication.
Simon says, “Digital skills are advancing very fast and are vitally important, including an appreciation of ethics, the use of AI in research, developing good standards of academic integrity, and being able to present and communicate ideas clearly.” The school’s curriculum is designed to equip students not just with digital competencies but also with a nuanced understanding of technology’s role in society.
Haileybury Almaty’s approach goes beyond digital proficiency, focusing on digital safety and responsible online citizenship. They have a Head of Digital Learning who spearheads staff training, and an AI in Education Professional Learning Community that explores the latest tools reshaping the educational landscape. This forward-thinking mindset is mirrored in the enthusiasm of students who participate in the Digital Leaders program and engage deeply with subjects like robotics and coding. Yet, the school remains committed to blending digital learning with the richness of traditional education—a balancing act that is essential in preparing students for the complexities of tomorrow’s world.
Fostering Leadership and Passion Beyond the Classroom
Haileybury Almaty’s education philosophy extends well beyond academic excellence. A varied co-curricular program, featuring over 150 activities weekly, allows students to explore and develop their unique talents. From sports and music to drama and leadership, students are encouraged to pursue their passions and discover new strengths.
Student-led initiatives and supra-curricular activities are at the heart of this vibrant environment. Whether it’s building satellites, programming robots, or debating global issues, students at Haileybury Almaty take ownership of their learning experiences. “I am deeply impressed by the students’ creativity and expertise in many activities, be that in satellite building, developing remote-controlled aircraft, creating art, or honing their passion for Model United Nations,” Simon shares.
Leadership, too, is a skill that Haileybury Almaty nurtures from a young age. Every student has the opportunity to lead, whether as a House Captain, a subject ambassador, or by spearheading a student-led club. The Pupil Leadership Team plays a pivotal role in shaping the student experience, coordinating initiatives, and voicing the needs of their peers. One inspiring example is the all-girls team behind “Tozbe,” an app developed to support women facing domestic abuse. This project not only won national awards but also showcased the students’ drive to make a real-world impact.
Embracing a Dynamic School Community in Kazakhstan
Moving to Kazakhstan and becoming a part of the Haileybury Almaty community has been a rewarding experience for Simon. He describes the country’s stunning landscapes and the school’s dynamic environment as invigorating and fulfilling. “Each day is important as we focus on the work of developing young people and offering them a multiplicity of educational opportunities to grow and thrive,” Simon remarks.
The strong sense of teamwork and the shared vision among staff contribute to a thriving learning culture. Whether it’s the enthusiasm for extracurricular activities or the dedication to academic excellence, Haileybury Almaty fosters a community spirit that resonates with everyone involved. “There are many further areas to grow and develop as a teacher and educational leader, which is exciting too,” Simon notes, adding that it’s the daily engagement with students and colleagues that makes the job well worth getting up for in the morning.
Simon emphasizes the crucial role that schools play in preparing young people for the future, stating, “It is vital that schools have the right talent and dedication to ensure that young people can develop and thrive in the future. It is amongst the most important work we have as a society to ensure our young people are the best versions of themselves and ready for their lives ahead.”
With a relentless focus on high standards and an openness to new ideas, Haileybury Almaty continues to build an educational environment where both students and staff can excel. “If we do that and collaborate together, then I think we can enjoy a bright future as educators and leaders within schools,” concludes Simon.
For More Info: https://www.haileybury.kz/en/almaty