OUR GLOBAL FAMILY AN INSPIRING WORLD OF EDUCATION
A GLOBAL EDUCATION IS A TRULY ROUNDED ONE Cognita is an extraordinary family of diverse yet connected schools, spanning ten different countries. We share one common purpose: to create an inspiring world of education that builds self-belief and empowers individuals to succeed. Together, we provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades to develop all-round academic excellence – building resilient minds and encouraging positive, international perspectives. We do this by sharing expertise, insights and best practice across the world – and by collaborating to develop rich learning environments in every school. We equip young people with the confidence and resourcefulness that prepares them to grow, thrive and find their success in a fast-changing world.
“ Self-assured, resilient and empowered to succeed. These principles represent our ambition for every child in the inspiring world of education that is Cognita.” Chris Jansen Chief Executive of Cognita
GNITA EDU E CO CA TH TIO N
HOW?
THE CO G
Energised Leadership
We develop Character
Personalised Learning
We nurture a Global Perspective
People Growth Community Innovation Brilliant Basics
WHY?
WAY
To create an inspiring world of education
We deliver Academic Excellence
NITA OG EC TH
WHAT? SE URPO P TA NI
SHARED VISION FOR IMPROVING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE Our owners support our drive to continually improve the quality of education we provide our students alongside the continued growth of our global group. Cognita’s majority owner is Jacobs Holding AG, a global investment firm based in Switzerland that looks after the interests of the Jacobs family. Education and the development of young people have always played an important role for Jacobs and are at the heart of the Jacobs Foundation, the sole economic beneficiary of the firm’s investments. One of the world’s leading charitable foundations, the Jacobs Foundation works to sustainably support future generations by improving their developmental opportunities, thus enabling them to become socially responsible members of society. Partnering with Jacobs as minority owners of Cognita are BDT Capital Partners, which provides family and founder-led businesses with long-term capital, and Sofina, a family-controlled investment company that supports entrepreneurs and families who lead growing companies. All three of our owners are known for their longterm, ‘patient’ approach – in many cases owning companies for decades – and serve as genuine partners for our global community.
UPHOLDING EXCELLENCE Continuous improvement is at the heart of the Cognita Way. Our Education Advisory Board (EAB) ensures the consistency of standards and accountability for educational outcomes across our global family of schools. The EAB is chaired by the distinguished educationalist Sir Kevan Collins, who brings more than 30 years’ experience in shaping pedagogy, practice and policy for the education sector, and was knighted in 2015 for his services to education. With Sir Kevan as independent Chair, our EAB is also made up of school leaders from each of our regions.
Sir Kevan Collins Non-Executive Board Member and Chair of Cognita Education Advisory Board
SHARING INSPIRATION ACROSS THE GLOBE Our students connect through joint projects with a global dimension that enrich their learning and build their understanding of the wider world. For example, ‘Light Up Learning’ started with St. Andrews International School Dusit in Bangkok and their support for the international Solar Buddy charity. Word quickly spread and soon our schools in Europe, Asia and Latin America joined in to provide solar lights for children living without electricity in challenging environments. CognitaCalling – the brainchild of one of our educators based at Stamford American School Hong Kong – connects classes in different schools and countries via Skype to deepen children’s learning of particular topics or themes as well as different places and cultures. It’s all part of how we use our global platform to discover, learn and achieve together.
Connecting and collaborating with peers across the Cognita world deepens our learning and builds our global perspective.
Our global diversity fuels our innovation. We take our best and share it, so everyone can improve.
Underpinning a Cognita education is ‘The Cognita Way’, six focal points we know to be present in our most successful schools: energised leadership, personalised learning, people growth, community, innovation and brilliant basics. This is our common language and the basis for collaboration between our people. One way we all stay connected is by tweeting about all things educational.
SHARING AND CONNECTING THE #COGNITAWAY
TOMORROW’S HIGH FLYERS Our students progress to leading universities in the world. At Cognita schools, it’s not all about getting high grades. But high grades are a natural by-product of the approach we take. Our emphasis is on nurturing every child’s innate love of learning and empowering them with skills to determine and drive their own education. We create personalised learning plans to stretch and challenge each individual to a level that’s just right for them. The outcome? Enthusiastic, self-assured, mentally resilient students – who progress to the leading institutions in all regions where we operate, many of which are in the top 100 universities in the world.
OUR SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD
75+ SCHOOLS
7,500 EMPLOYEES
10 COUNTRIES
50,000+ STUDENTS
94 NATIONALITIES
1COGNITA WAY
BRAZIL
CHILE
UK SWITZERLAND SPAIN
HONG KONG THAILAND INDIA VIETNAM SINGAPORE
Find out more about our global family of schools cognita.com