About Us – Our vision

Our vision

Establishing an educational organisation and school, which will:

  • meet the educational, academic, cultural, linguistic and social needs of Russian – multilingual and multicultural  children and families living in London
  • enable children to grow, learn, achieve and thrive in a safe, Russian-English educational environment, secure in their bicultural identity, enjoying a broad culture-rich creative and academically stimulating curriculum and achieving their full potential as unique individuals, caring friends and responsible citizens.
  • prepare children for life and work in the modern world where multilingual and multicultural communicative competence and social skills are as valid as individual academic achievements.
  • embed the ethos of charity, community and environment in the life and work of school
  • bring Russian culture and value of languages for children to the wider community in London
  • provide a new and effective bilingual education model, which is embedded in the cultural and linguistic profile of the family and community and applicable to all children and families, regardless of languages spoken and cultures involved

The AZBUKA Foundation has been pioneering Russian-English bilingual education since its launch in 2000. The AZBUKA Nursery was opened in 2002 and became the UK’s first Ofsted registered pre-school, with a Russian curriculum for bilingual children.

Since then, the Foundation established a Saturday school for older children and a Russian Children’s Cultural Centre, both of which were instant successes which were quickly over-subscribed.

In 2015, AZBUKA went on to fulfill its dream with the opening of the UK’s first primary school with a full-time Russian-English bilingual education programme. It has since won widespread approval for its creative and innovative methodology, embracing and celebrating both languages and cultures – providing children with the best of both worlds.

From 2021 – AZBUKA operates Nursery, Reception and all 6 year groups (Y 1- 6) of primary bilingual curriculum.

2018-2021 – More people are joining AZBUKA as patrons, academic consultants, friends and governors. AZBUKA is forming the Bilingual Education Alliance, a new initiative for bilingual schools based in the UK and for all those passionate about the future of foreign languages in this country.

AZBUKA Foundation is a non-profit independent organisation comprising:

AZBUKA Timeline

2001 – AZBUKA organisation created operating as Russian Cultural Club for multilingual families.

2002 – The first Ofsted registered Russian Nursery School in England opened.

2005 – Russian Saturday School with the specialist curriculum (Russian in the bilingual context) started for children from 5 years old.

2011– AZBUKA recognised by Department for Education (DfE) to be working within the English legislation (Early Years Foundation Stage) for pre-school education.

2013 – AZBUKA Foundation (registered charity and non-profit organisation governed by a Board of Trustees) formed. The key objective of AZBUKA Foundation is to progress into a full-time bilingual education project, incorporating all the existing elements under the unique umbrella of AZBUKA Foundation.

2015 – lessons began at London’s first Russian-English Bilingual School AZBUKA, which offers a full teaching programme (from Monday to Friday).

2018  – Partnering to Create Impact. AZBUKA receives  A FRESH SIGNAL OF SUPPORT FOR ITS INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION as well as other organisations

2018-2020  New people are joining Azbuka as patrons, consultants and governors

2020 – AZBUKA joins ISA (Independent Schools Association)
2020 – Romanoff Foundation launches scholarship for talented AZBUKA students

2021 – Azbuka operates Nursery, Reception and all 6 year groups (Y 1- 6) of primary bilingual curriculum

2021 – Azbuka is forming the Bilingual Education Alliance, a new initiative for bilingual schools based in the UK and for all those passionate about the future of foreign languages in this country. Head teachers, governors, academics, educationalists and politicians are invited to join

Track record

AZBUKA has been operating since 2001.

More than 700 children studied in AZBUKA organization since its creation in 2001.

AZBUKA Club has a wide membership having provided a vast range of cultural and educational events.

Popularity and effectiveness of AZBUKA has resulted in long waiting lists.

Children travel to AZBUKA from all over London (including central London and the Home Counties).

AZBUKA teachers are qualified and highly experienced in working with children in Early Years Education, primary and secondary school programmes.

AZBUKA teaching staff provides external training on bilingual education to educationalists, teachers and parents. Training and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is seen as an important element of AZBUKA, with AZBUKA staff attending training courses, taking part and publishing at international bilingual conferences.