Globeducate announces the acquisition* of The International School of Paphos, owned by I.V. Educational Management Services Limited.

Globeducate is a leading international K-12 education group with more than 65 leading bilingual and international schools and online programmes, serving more than 40,000 students across 11 countries, including Cyprus, France, India, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Offering a variety of international curricula, such as the National Curriculum for England and the International Baccalaureate, Globeducate delivers a truly global education.

In Cyprus, its local network includes PASCAL International Education and the Educational Group Olympion. The International School of Paphos (ISOP), established in 1987 by Theodoros Aristodemou as the first private English school in Paphos, continues to shine as a beacon of educational excellence in Cyprus. Offering a top-tier education to nearly 1200 students, ranging from two-and-a-half years old (Kindergarten) to 18 years old (A Levels/Apolytirion), ISOP shines as a symbol of innovation, inclusivity and achievement.

Excellence is at the heart of ISOP’s ethos, with students achieving national and international recognition and awards. As a registered institution with the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, ISOP is an accredited centre for two of the UK’s leading examination boards, Cambridge International Education (CIE) and Pearson Edexcel. Its enriched National Curriculum for England, with a significant emphasis on Greek language and culture programmes, is complemented by a wide range of subjects, ensuring that every student’s academic journey is both comprehensive and personalised.

With students and staff representing over 40 nationalities, ISOP serves as an ideal ambassador for promoting respect for diversity. By cultivating partnerships with leading cultural and educational organisations such as the British Council, Goethe-Institut, Confucius Institute, French Institute, and embassies from Russia, the US, and beyond, ISOP brings the world to its students. 

The foundation of ISOP’s long-standing success lies in its dedicated and experienced staff, consisting of 170 educators, support staff, and administrators from diverse specialisations, nationalities, and age groups. Collaborating closely with families and the broader community, ISOP staff nurture critical thinking, foster innovation, and uphold the values that define the school.

As outlined in its vision, ISOP aims to nurture independent individuals who contribute meaningfully as global citizens. The school embraces a holistic approach, blending academic excellence with the development of emotional intelligence, social skills, and self-confidence, while fostering respect and empathy.

ISOP students thrive through a wide range of extracurricular activities, from sports and the arts to global programmes such as the Mediterranean Model United Nations (MEDIMUN), Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, European Parliament Ambassador School (EPAS), ECO School, Pasch Programme and more, which inspire creativity and leadership beyond the classroom.

The school boasts a modern, secure campus in the suburbs of Paphos where the Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School, as well as the Private institute, are operated from, offering comfortable teaching spaces and a technologically advanced learning environment. The facilities include a purpose-built Kindergarten complex; five computer labs and four science labs; music and recording studios; a drama studio and art gallery; a library and multimedia-equipped classrooms; a multi-purpose sports hall and heated indoor swimming pool; an astroturf football pitch, outdoor courts, and athletics facilities; dedicated spaces for creative and physical activities; a cafeteria, sick bay, and fully climate-controlled environments.

ISOP Managing Director Aristi Andriotis hailed the acquisition. “As part of the Globeducate family, we will gain access to a wealth of resources, expertise and support to enhance teaching practices and enrich our students’ learning experiences,” she said.

“Globeducate’s mission, closely aligned with our own, is to prepare each student to become a global citizen who can shape the future,” she continued. “While joining Globeducate offers exciting opportunities, our school’s values, and traditions, will remain unchanged.”

ISOP Founder and Chairman Aristodemou also expressed his satisfaction. “Joining the Globeducate network of schools is undoubtedly a milestone in our school’s journey, which will expand its horizons through this collaboration,” he noted.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved over the years, creating a model school at a time when the necessary infrastructure did not even exist in Paphos. Surely this would not have been possible without the excellent cooperation of our dedicated staff and leadership team, the longstanding support of our parents and students, as well as the smooth supervision of the Board of Directors,” he went on.

“Our decision to collaborate with such an established and esteemed education group like Globeducate was made after careful planning, with the aim of better serving the long-term interests of our community, staff, students and families.”

For his part, Globeducate CEO Luca Uva offered his own optimism at the development. “We are delighted to welcome The International School of Paphos to Globeducate, further strengthening our presence in Cyprus, and our commitment to investment in education on the island,” he said.

“We are excited to collaborate with the school’s leadership and community to build on its strong foundations. Globeducate is committed to providing students with an outstanding education through a diverse range of national and international curricula, and we look forward to supporting the school in offering even greater opportunities within our global network,” he added.

*The addition of our school to Globeducate is expected to be completed once approval is secured from the Commission for the Protection of Competition. The transaction was led by Globeducate’s lead legal advisers, Pittas + Koullouros LLC led by Panayiotis Koullouros. The legal advisers representing Theodoros Aristodemou were S.A. Evangelou & Co LLC, a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL).

About Globeducate

We prepare each student to be a global citizen who can shape the world. Globeducate is one of the leading international K12 education groups in the world, a network of 65+ premium bilingual and international schools, as well as online programmes, educating 40,000 students in 11 countries.

Our schools specialise in a variety of recognised, highly-respected international curricula including the National Curriculum for England (EYFS to A Level), International Baccalaureate (PYP to IBDP), and the national curricula of Canada, Cyprus, France, India, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Our students achieve high grades and are accepted into higher education programmes at 25 of the world’s top 50 universities.

Being a member of Globeducate brings many benefits for our schools, students and teachers. We are an official partner of WWF (World Wildlife Fund), and work with Eco-Schools in each country, as well as LEGO® Education and, in our ICS schools, Arts International. Every year we host a wide range of global events, online or in person, such as the Globeducate Model United Nations, Academic Olympics, Visual Arts Competition, International Music Festival, Olympic Games and a Student Leadership Summit. For our Globeducate Agenda, students may participate in a WWF global quiz, Outdoor Classroom Days, WWF Wear it Wild Days, and Globeducate Debates.

Our teachers ensure that our students develop skills and abilities beyond the purely academic. Our students learn how to play their part in shaping the future; how to tackle the unprecedented social, economic and environmental challenges that are reshaping our global communities. Our teachers, counsellors and partners prepare this generation for jobs that have not yet been created, for technologies that have not yet been invented, and to solve problems that have not yet been anticipated.

A crucial part of providing an excellent education, Globeducate teachers inspire our students to find their voice in this world. They encourage them to understand world events and to think about their values and what is important to them, and to challenge ignorance and intolerance wherever they find it.