Chartwell International School is an international school that follows the British National Curriculum. The school holds accreditation as both an international school and an examination center from Cambridge and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of Serbia. Situated across eight spacious facilities, the school combines the rich traditions of high-standard education with the latest top-quality teaching equipment. Nestled in a beautiful green residential area, Chartwell provides a safe and nurturing environment for all its students.
With sports fields, recreational areas, libraries, and labs, Chartwell offers more than just a place to study; it’s a home away from home for students. While the management team, including the owner, Heads of Schools, coordinators, and finance professionals, leads the way, the heart and success of the school are its teachers. These educators come from diverse backgrounds and experiences but share a common love for teaching, empathy for their students, and a strong commitment to their education. They are all well-qualified for the crucial role they play in shaping the future of the students at Chartwell International School.
Embracing Cultural Diversity and Community Engagement
Chartwell International School conducts its lessons in English, but it also offers a variety of world languages alongside the curriculum. Cultural diversity holds significant importance at Chartwell, and the school actively promotes it. Traditionally, Chartwell celebrates UN Day to foster tolerance and respect among its students. The school organizes poetry and music evenings where children recite poems and sing in their mother tongues, as well as languages taught at the school.
In addition to English traditions like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, and Christmas, Chartwell is the only school in Belgrade that celebrates Bonfire Night, showcasing a commitment to cultural inclusivity.
Recognizing that education goes beyond the academic program, Chartwell places a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities offered on a daily basis. These activities span a wide range from sports to fencing, dance, drama, and languages. Chartwell students actively participate in the life of their community by attending workshops, visiting exhibitions, theaters, and engaging in humanitarian activities.
One of the school’s significant initiatives is “Something for Everyone – Children to Children,” where students help orphaned and disadvantaged Serbian children through their traditional project. Chartwell students also visited the Royal Palace in Belgrade as part of a charity appeal supported by the Royal Family. Nenad Gazikalovic, the founder, highlights the students’ active involvement in organizing fundraising projects, emphasizing the importance of helping them understand a world beyond their own. This commitment to community engagement and global awareness is a distinctive aspect of Chartwell International School.
Supporting Educational Evolution
Chartwell is accredited by Cambridge University as both an international school and an examination center. It is also recognized by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia as an international educational institution. Additionally, Chartwell is a member of COBIS.
While these accreditations serve as valuable references for parents when choosing the right school for their children, Mr. Gazikalovic stresses that the most crucial reference is the happiness of the students. The smiles on students’ faces as they come to school in the morning and leave in the afternoon reflect the fact that they feel loved, cared for, and secure at Chartwell. These happy students are in the best position to develop academically.
Mr. Gazikalovic acknowledges the challenges posed by various shifts in technology, demographics, society, environment, economy, and politics to education systems. To navigate these changes while remaining true to traditional educational values is a complex task. Chartwell aims to strike a balance by combining tradition with contemporary and high-quality educational standards. The school’s infrastructure, including new buildings, is designed and equipped to facilitate optimal conditions for both teachers and students, enabling them to achieve the best results.
In light of recent global changes and the impact of the pandemic, Chartwell has invested significantly in technology and teacher training to facilitate high-quality remote learning. While the school’s enrollment is growing each year, the focus remains on maintaining high-quality education rather than sacrificing quality for quantity. Class sizes will continue to be optimized to tailor the curriculum to the individual needs of each student.
Graduating Good People for a Better World
Chartwell nurtures a close-knit community based on respect and common sense, rather than rigid rules. Students and teachers interact freely, playing sports, collaborating on projects, and resolving issues. This fosters a tension-free environment where cultural diversity is respected, and everyone works together for the best outcomes.
Chartwell students learn alongside peers from across the globe, gaining a global perspective. With strong academic achievements and a sense of responsibility, alumni are well-prepared for a competitive, globalized world. The focus on respect, collaboration, and diversity shapes them into global citizens ready for an interconnected world.
“Our graduating students leave us to go to universities around the globe and they achieve good results. We are of course very proud of them. However, most importantly, we are proud that they have become good people. People with the right values, who respect themselves and deserve to do so, but also people who have learned to respect those around them regardless of the differences.” – Nenad Gazikalovic
Vision for Education and Chartwell International School
Mr. Gazikalovic believes that the future of education hinges on the understanding that it encompasses much more than academics alone. While schools typically group students by age, Mr. Gazikalovic emphasizes the importance of optimizing class sizes to tailor the academic program to suit the individual needs of each student. This approach ensures that every student is challenged just enough to develop in accordance with their abilities.
Additionally, Mr. Gazikalovic places strong emphasis on extracurricular activities, which should be offered daily and encompass a wide range of options, including sports, languages, drama, and more. He advocates for students to actively engage with their local community through humanitarian work, visits to exhibitions, theaters, and various activities.
Mr. Gazikalovic believes that the primary task of a school should be to teach children how to learn, seek knowledge independently, and acquire the skills they need for all aspects of life. This involves developing a love for learning and a passion for inquiry that extends beyond the classroom and into all aspects of a child’s life.
These principles were at the forefront of Mr. Gazikalovic‘s mind when he established an educational institute, and he believes that Chartwell successfully brings together the best practices from around the world. The school offers all of the above-mentioned elements and more, with encouragement and motivation serving as core principles in its teaching philosophy.
