COBIS - Council of British International Schools

Don’t miss out! We would like to remind schools that our COBIS Musical Theatre Festival is now open for entries! This exciting event celebrates #creativity, #performance, and #collaboration, giving students the opportunity to shine on an international stage. Find out more and get involved via link in comments. #COBIS

As AI continues to shape education, having a clear and considered approach is increasingly important. Educate Ventures Research are running a course on 4th June to support leaders in exploring how AI can be used to support school priorities, while also addressing important questions around ethics, safeguarding, and strategic alignment. Register now via link in comments. #AI #Education

At the UCAS International Conference 2026, the agenda brings together practical insight, peer learning, and subject expertise in one place. From managing UCAS applications and exploring UK subject strengths, to sharing best practice with fellow advisers, plus keynote sessions from UK Government International Education Champion Sir Steve Smith and President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester Professor Duncan Iverson — it’s all designed to help you support your students with confidence. Join UCAS in Manchester, 16–17 June. 👉 Explore the full agenda: https://lnkd.in/eX-fyPSZ

We’re proud to highlight the breadth of expertise and leadership represented on the #COBIS Board. Lord @Jim Knight is the COBIS Chair, as well as holding positions on other education boards such as E-Act Multi Academy Trust, Century-Tech and STEM Learning Ltd. He also sits on the Pearson Qualifications Committee and provides advice to Nord Anglia Education, the Brookings Institute, GoodNotes, Edwin Group and Everfi. As a government minister and MP, Jim’s portfolios included rural affairs, schools, digital and employment. He was a member of Gordon Brown’s Cabinet, before joining the House of Lords in 2010. He regularly speaks in the Lords on education and technology policy. He is a member of the Communications and Digital Committee of the Lords. "I am very proud of working with COBIS and helping extend its influence across the world. Ther numbers of schools adopting the British curriculum is growing fast and they need to help with safeguarding, teacher quality and delivering an enriched student experience. COBIS is performing an invaluable job expanding education quality and I am delighted to support them. My passions are literature, Arsenal, drawing, and nature - especially in Orkney.”

Congratulations to Zeba Clarke and St George's International School, Luxembourg ASBL, who have retained their Accredited Member (COBIS) status. “Being part of COBIS allows St George’s to collaborate with leading British international schools worldwide, share best practice and support ongoing professional learning across our community. It also creates meaningful opportunities for our students to connect with peers in other schools, take part in international events and competitions, and build networks around the world. We are proud to be associated with an organisation that reflects our commitment to excellence, safeguarding and high-quality international education.” - Zeba Clarke, Principal As a #COBIS Member, they are part of a global community committed to supporting high-quality education and contributing to the COBIS vision to reach and connect all British international schools around the world.

How UK Home Fee Eligibility Is Shaping University Decisions According to the latest COBIS research, eligibility for home fee status was one of the factors that influenced the decision of 24% of students who chose higher education outside the UK. With 334 COBIS schools across 86 countries, Home fee eligibility is a problem faced by all and specific preparation and planning is needed for the university application process. Through the partnership between COBIS and UK Study Options, schools and families can access specialist support and expertise in UK university fee status regulations and Home fee eligibility. Families can check their eligibility for Home fees using the UK Study Options Fee Status Checker: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eV8JmR7h #COBIS #InternationalEducation #UniversityGuidance #FeeStatus #UKStudyOptions #StudyinUK

The British International School Jeddah (BISJ) has been formally recognised as a COBIS - Council of British International Schools training school, celebrating its ongoing investment in professional development and educational excellence. The achievement reflects the school’s dedication to building a thriving learning environment for both staff and students. Through structured mentoring, leadership support, and internationally recognised qualifications, BISJ continues to create meaningful opportunities for educators to grow and succeed. Its commitment to inclusion and career progression is helping shape a stronger future for the wider international school community. As education continues to evolve, BISJ’s recognition demonstrates the importance of developing exceptional teachers through collaboration, innovation, and long-term support. The school remains committed to advancing educational standards in line with Saudi Vision 2030 🚀 Helen Olds, Director at the British International School Jeddah, said: "At BISJ, we believe that exceptional learning is shaped by exceptional educators. This recognition affirms our ability to support the professional growth of our staff and contribute more broadly to the development of educators across the international school community. Rooted in British educational values and guided by a global perspective, BISJ remains committed to creating a nurturing environment where both students and educators can thrive" #BritishInternationalSchoolJeddah #COBIS #EducationLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #InternationalSchools

There’s been an important step forward for international schools in Japan. The COBIS Accreditation & Compliance scheme was recently formally recognised by The Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It’s a significant development for schools in Japan looking to demonstrate quality against internationally respected standards, while strengthening trust with their communities. To explore what this means in practice, we’re hosting a 60-minute webinar focused on the evolving landscape for international schools in Japan, particularly around accreditation, quality assurance, and compliance. We’ll be looking at how the COBIS framework supports school improvement, #safeguarding, and #governance, and why MEXT recognition matters. We’ll also touch on how COBIS works alongside the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS), and how schools can benefit from being part of both local and global communities. We’re pleased to be joined by colleagues from JCIS, as well as Gill Tyrer, Head of School at St. Michael's International School, Japan, to share perspectives from across the sector. If you’re working in or with international schools in Japan and thinking about accreditation or future planning, it would be great to have you join us. The webinar will take place on Tuesday 26 May 08:00 (BST) / 16:00 (JST) Registration link in comments.

Well done to the runners-up of the Senior Category for the COBIS Changemakers Competition, Saint Andrew's International High School Malawi School, with their project ‘Operation Smile’. Their students showed #leadership and #compassion by raising awareness of SDGs 3 and 10 and making a lasting impact on over 350 patients and families in Malawi through improved access to equitable healthcare. To watch their project and for full competition results, head to our website. See link in comments. https://resources.finalsite.net/videos/t_video_mp4_480/v1777561901/cobis/bpvowpgghhfsvdpod6ux/SAIntSOperationSmile1.mp4