The British Academy of Montenegro, in partnership with Oswestry School

The Boards of The British Academy of Montenegro and Oswestry School, United Kingdom are delighted to announce their collaboration in the founding of The British Academy of Montenegro, in partnership with Oswestry School. The school will open its doors to local and international students in September, 2024.

Oswestry School – a British Independent Day and Boarding School founded in the year 1407 – will provide operational support and knowhow to the founders of The British Academy of Montenegro throughout the pre-operational period and beyond. Headmaster of Oswestry School Peter Middleton commented:

“This partnership represents a new chapter in the more than 600 years of history of Oswestry School. We have a special relationship with - and affection for - the country of Montenegro, a country from which we have welcomed many exceptional boarding students in the past decade. It is a natural next step for us to support the founders on their pioneering and inspirational vision for a new centre of educational excellence based on a British holistic model in a vibrant young country.”

This collaboration was forged on Montenegro’s Independence Day, 21st May, 2024 marking not only an historic moment in the history of both schools, but also the anniversary of the formation of the Republic of Montenegro in 2006. Founders of the new school, Backo Babic, Vladimir Perunovic and Marko Lopicic declared:

“We have developed a deep relationship with Oswestry School during several years of guiding some of our country’s best students to the United Kingdom. The warmth of Oswestry’s welcoming community, the academic excellence of their approach, and the holistic nature of the whole educational experience enables all students to find their forte, and this deeply resonates with my team as founders of what we intend to be the leading school in Montenegro. We are excited and thrilled to announce our partnership today.”

The announcement follows the appointment of Tony Macfadyen as the Founding Head of The British Academy of Montenegro. With a wealth of experience in education spanning over 30 years, Mr Macfadyen has extensive international leadership experience including as Headmaster of three all-through (3-18) schools.  He believes strongly in putting students at the heart of the school and creating a supportive and caring environment where they can flourish through exciting, engaging and purposeful learning inside and outside of the classroom.  He is well placed to lead the new school as it develops and grows in the years ahead.  He has already taken up his position working alongside The British Academy Founders and the Oswestry School team to ensure that the first intake of pupils immediately benefit from an outstanding educational provision.

Both The British Academy of Montenegro and Oswestry School acknowledged the support of Castlegate Education Limited in bringing the partnership to fruition. Alex McGrath, Founder and Managing Director of Castlegate Education, commented:

“It has been a pleasure to work with the teams in both Oswestry and Podgorica, who are committed to one another’s success. We look forward to continuing to support the partners as they establish a leading school, not only in Montenegro, but the Balkans more broadly, one that we believe will have a positive and welcome impact on the educational landscape within the region; it is a hugely exciting project!”

There is more information about our partner school on The British Academy website.

The British Academy Founder Backo Babic and Oswestry School Chair of Governors Peter Wilcox-Jones at a signing ceremony confirming the partnership between the two schools.

Pictured at Oswestry School (l-r) Peter Middleton (Headmaster, Oswestry School), Backo Babic (Founder, The British Academy), Peter Wilcox-Jones (Chair of Governors, Oswestry School), Vladimir Perunovic (Founder, The British Academy).

Headmaster Peter Middleton was honoured to travel to Montenegro for the formal opening of The British Academy, pictured here alongside Founding Principal Tony McFadyen and representatives from The British Embassy and the Ministry of Education, Science & Innovation.