Stirling Schools
Stirling Schools operates 40 K-12 private and international schools across 8 cities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, serving roughly 15,000 students under multiple sub-brands including Ronaki, Ishik, Cag, and RISE, with a British-aligned international curriculum.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersErbil, Iraq
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Stirling Schools does
Stirling Schools operates a network of 40 K-12 private and international schools across 8 cities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), serving approximately 15,000 students. Founded in 1997 under the British parent company Stirling Education, the network runs multiple sub-brands — Ronaki (Erbil, Duhok), Ishik (Baghdad, Basra), Cag Schools (Kirkuk), United Science Colleges (Sulaymaniyah), and RISE — and is headquartered in Erbil with an alumni base of more than 8,000. The network has been progressively internationalizing its curriculum, evidenced by partnerships with Cambridge Assessment and Tishk International University and by student outcomes including Iraq's first IMO medal in 2021 and bronze medals at IBO 2023 and IJSO 2023.
The company delivers a British-influenced international curriculum through its proprietary Stirling Enriched Education Model (EEM®) and supports instruction with its own learning management system, Mercury LMS. Stirling Schools holds international accreditations from City & Guilds, ASIC, and ISO 9001, and has received industry recognition including the ASIC Best Student Support award (2020) and a Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award shortlisting (2021). The academic program is aligned with international benchmarks and includes preparation pathways into higher education through the Tishk International University partnership.
Stirling Schools generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition fees across its multi-brand school portfolio, functioning as a subscription-style K-12 education business with multi-year enrollment cycles. Corporate headcount is approximately 157 staff, supported by a leadership team comprising Timothy Fisher (Global CEO), Dr Umed Aruzery (Iraq CEO), and Mr Mohammed Mahmood (Deputy CEO-Education).
Stirling Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stirling Schools
- Legal name
- Stirling Schools
- Website
- https://stirlingschools.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Stirling Schools operates 40 K-12 private and international schools across 8 cities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, serving roughly 15,000 students under multiple sub-brands including Ronaki, Ishik, Cag, and RISE, with a British-aligned international curriculum.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stirling Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Private and International Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)
Keywords
Where Stirling Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Erbil
- HQ country
- Iraq
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices8 records
Markets served
Stirling Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Educational Services: Stirling Schools generates revenue through tuition fees for K-12 education services including kindergarten, primary, secondary, and high school programs. The school offers various educational services including exam preparation (Wezari exams), international exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge), and after-school programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Stirling Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stirling Schools operates a network of 40 private and international K-12 schools across 8 cities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, delivering English-medium education from kindergarten through high school under the proprietary Stirling Enriched Education Model (EEM). Core offerings include academic schooling, preparation for national Wezary baccalaureate exams and international qualifications (Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL), supported by the proprietary Mercury LMS e-learning platform, 4K Smartboards, robotics, and other supplementary programs. The schools are licensed by the Iraqi Ministry of Education and internationally accredited by City & Guilds, ASIC, and ISO.
Product overview
Stirling Schools is a network of international and private schools operating 40 schools across 8 cities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The organization operates under multiple sub-brands including Ronaki Schools (Erbil, Duhok), United Science Colleges (Sulaymaniyah), Ishik Schools (Baghdad, Basrah), and Cag Schools (Kirkuk). The core educational offering is delivered through the Stirling Enriched Education Model (EEM), supported by the proprietary Mercury LMS e-learning platform. Additional services include Wezari exam preparation, Cambridge/TOEFL/IELTS test preparation, robotics programs, 4K smartboard technology, and online reading platforms. The network serves approximately 15,000 students and 8,000 alumni.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ronaki Schools: School brand operating in Erbil and Duhok under the Stirling Schools network
- Ishik Schools
- Cag Schools
- United Science Colleges
- Ronaki International School Erbil (RISE)
- Mercury LMS
- Stirling Enriched Education Model (EEM®)
Products and services
- Ronaki Hawler (Erbil) International School K-12 English-medium international school in Erbil offering full primary and secondary education under the Stirling Enriched Education Model.
- United Science Colleges (Sulaymaniyah) Science-focused K-12 college in Sulaymaniyah offering education with emphasis on science subjects and 3D learning technology.
- Ronaki Duhok Schools K-12 English-medium school in Duhok offering the standard Stirling curriculum to Duhok students.
- Ishik Schools Baghdad K-12 English-medium school in Baghdad serving students under the Ishik Schools brand.
- Cag Schools Kirkuk K-12 private school in Kirkuk offering English-medium education under the Cag Schools brand.
- Ishik School Basrah K-12 international school in Basrah delivering English-medium education under the Ishik Schools brand.
- Ronaki International School Erbil (RISE) Flagship international school of Stirling Schools in Erbil; awarded Best Student Support by ASIC UK in 2020 for COVID-19 remote learning support.
- Mercury LMS E-Learning Platform Proprietary e-learning platform supporting full-time education for Stirling Schools students and teachers, with modules available in English, Kurdish Sorani, and Kurdish Badini.
- Wezari (National Baccalaureate) Exam Preparation Targeted preparation program for Iraq's national Wezary baccalaureate examinations, helping students secure top placements and university admission.
- International Exam Preparation (Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL) Authorized Cambridge Examination Center preparation for Cambridge English Qualifications, IELTS, and TOEFL academic examinations.
- Stirling Enriched Education Model (EEM) Proprietary registered curriculum framework combining quality education components with intelligence training to equip primary school students with effective learning skills.
Quantifiable outcome
- 27 students in top 10 places of 2022-23 KRI National Wezary Examination
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Stirling Schools
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Stirling Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Stirling Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tishk International University (TIU)coreTishk International University is a key educational partner of Stirling Schools. The university and Stirling Schools collaborate on teacher professional development workshops, student placement programs, and share the same educational philosophy. TIU's Faculty of Education organizes workshops where Stirling Schools staff share expertise.
- City & GuildscoreCity & Guilds is the international accreditation body for Stirling Schools. Their education quality is endorsed by City & Guilds, and the accreditation ensures that Stirling Schools' education model and curriculum delivery meet the highest international standards. Students receive internationally recognized certificates.
- UK Teachers AcademycoreUK Teachers Academy is Stirling Schools' professional development partner. They deliver training programs for teachers and school leaders, including 'Fundamentals of Educational Leadership' and 'Instructional Leadership' training series. The academy is internationally accredited by City & Guilds.
- Cambridge AssessmentcoreCambridge Assessment underpins the quality of English language teaching at Stirling Schools. Students can take Cambridge English Qualifications including YLE (Starters, Movers, Flyers), KET, PET, and other Cambridge exams. Stirling Schools is an authorized Cambridge Examination Center.
- Kirkuk General Directorate of EducationminorStirling Schools Kirkuk sponsored and coordinated with Kirkuk General Directorate of Education to deliver 'Instructional Leadership' training series for inspectors. This partnership demonstrates Stirling Schools' commitment to community development beyond their own institutions.
- Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC)minorIBBC Commercial Adviser Richard Cotton visited Stirling Schools Basrah to observe school features and met with school administration. The visit demonstrated international business community interest in Stirling Schools' educational operations.
- Owlypia / Perceptum EducationminorStirling Schools participates in Owlypia - The Intellectuals' Challenge, an international competition for students aged 9-18. Perceptum Education is a certified Social Enterprise based in London, UK that founded Owlypia in 2017.
- Stirling EducationcoreStirling Education is the British company that owns and operates Stirling Schools. The company has been operating private and international schools for more than 27 years. Global CEO Timothy Fisher leads the organization.
- ASIC (Accreditation Service for International Schools and Colleges)coreASIC is a UK-based accreditation body for international schools and colleges. Ronaki International School Erbil (RISE) is accredited by ASIC and received the Best Student Support Award in 2020.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Stirling Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GEMS Education: Largest private K-12 operator in the MENA region with international curricula and premium positioning — directly comparable to Stirling as a multi-brand, multi-country school network but at materially larger scale.
- Amity Education Group: Operates K-12 and higher-education institutions across multiple emerging markets including the Middle East — comparable on international-curriculum positioning and university placement narrative.
- Cognita Schools: Global portfolio of independent and international schools with strong accreditation partnerships and university-prep orientation — overlaps Stirling on multi-brand governance and premium international schooling.
Regional players
- Taaleem: UAE-headquartered premium K-12 operator with British and IB curricula — comparable premium positioning and English-medium model, though primarily Gulf-focused versus Stirling's Iraq base.
- Aldar Education: Abu Dhabi-based premium schools operator with British and IB pathways — comparable premium positioning and curriculum portfolio, though geographically Gulf-focused.
- Maarif Education: Saudi-owned operator of international schools across multiple MENA markets — comparable multi-country expansion strategy and international curriculum mix to Stirling.
- Dar Al-Uloom Schools: Established private/international school operator in Saudi Arabia and the wider region with a similar multi-brand and multi-curriculum approach to Stirling.
Emerging players
- Maple Bear Global Schools: Operates licensed bilingual/international schools across emerging markets with a franchise-like model — relevant peer given Stirling's use of multiple sub-brands and standardised curriculum framework.
Direct peers
- Nord Anglia Education: Operates premium international schools worldwide with national and IB curricula, English-medium instruction, and global university placement — comparable on positioning, accreditation strategy, and target segment to Stirling.
- International School of Choueifat (SABIS): Long-established international school network operating across the Middle East with proprietary curriculum systems and English-medium instruction — directly comparable to Stirling's network of branded campuses across the region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Stirling Schools social profiles
Digital presenceStirling Schools compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Stirling Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stirling Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Stirling Schools subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
Stirling Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stirling Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stirling Schools
What does Stirling Schools do?
Stirling Schools operates a network of 40 private and international K-12 schools across 8 cities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, delivering English-medium education from kindergarten through high school under the proprietary Stirling Enriched Education Model (EEM). Core offerings include academic schooling, preparation for national Wezary baccalaureate exams and international qualifications (Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL), supported by the proprietary Mercury LMS e-learning platform, 4K Smartboards, robotics, and other supplementary programs. The schools are licensed by the Iraqi Ministry of Education and internationally accredited by City & Guilds, ASIC, and ISO.
Is Stirling Schools a public or private company?
Stirling Schools is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Stirling Schools founded?
Stirling Schools was founded in 1997. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Stirling Schools based?
Stirling Schools is headquartered in Erbil, Iraq, in the Middle East region.
How does Stirling Schools make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition and Educational Services.
Who are Stirling Schools's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GEMS Education, Amity Education Group and Cognita Schools. Regional players are Taaleem, Aldar Education, Maarif Education and Dar Al-Uloom Schools. Maple Bear Global Schools is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Nord Anglia Education and International School of Choueifat (SABIS).
Does Stirling Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stirling Schools.
What industry is Stirling Schools in?
Stirling Schools's product category is K-12 Private and International Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAG, International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.). Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.