How to choose a British International School?

When choosing a school it is important to do as much research as possible. Find out what schools are available in the area to which you are moving - ask for advice from your employer, the British Embassy, the British Council, local expatriate organisations, etc. Check with organisations such as COBIS (Council of British International Schools) for suggestions.

It is worthwhile contacting schools as soon as you know that you may be moving abroad. The high-quality education offered by British schools abroad means that they are often over-subscribed, and while places may be available mid-year at short notice, you have a better chance of securing a place at a good school if you get in touch early.

Once you have identified the available schools it is a matter of deciding which one will be best for your child or children. To begin with, look carefully at the curriculum and the qualifications offered. Most British schools abroad will follow the National Curriculum (often incorporating some variations), structured around the Key Stages, and possibly offering the National Curriculum Tests. Secondary students at many British schools abroad will take IGCSEs, the international version of the GCSE exams taken in England. These are recognised as the equivalent to GCSEs. As in the UK, these are followed by A levels. This is one progression route into university; another option offered by a number of British schools is the International Baccalaureate (IB). This qualification is equally acceptable for entrance to university in the UK and elsewhere.

Parents are within their rights to ask to see a summary of a school's examination results. This will help to judge the academic standard. A summary of the school's exit figures (how many students were offered university places, where they went, etc.) is also a useful tool.

One of the best indications of the calibre of a school is accreditation by an external body such as that offered by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). COBIS schools undergo a statutory inspection by the UK based Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) - the same body that inspects the majority of the independent schools in the UK. This is a rigorous system of inspection that offers external moderation and is approved by the UK government. This British-specific system, suitably adapted for an international setting, emphasises teaching and learning rather than focussing exclusively on facilities or results. Following a successful ISI inspection, COBIS can offer a formal British Accreditation. Other organisations offering forms of accreditation, albeit not specifically British, include the Council of International Schools (CIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and country-specific organisations such as the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS). Inspection processes in these organisations can range from one-day visits to longer visits by a team of peers.

Membership of one or more educational association can also be a useful guide to the quality of a school. Again, COBIS membership (provisional or affiliate) may be granted to a school, prior to formal accreditation, after a careful series of checks to ensure that the school is of a sufficiently high standard to pass an ISI inspection in the future. Membership of other organisations such as the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) or the international branch of one of the UK Associations (HMC - Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference; IAPS - Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools) is also evidence of a certain standard of school.

Other things to look at are the facilities offered (IT facilities, library, sports equipment and areas, science laboratories, etc.) bearing in mind that small schools with fewer facilities may still be very good schools. Getting a sense of the teaching staff (their backgrounds, qualifications, etc.) is also helpful.

Finally, although it is not always possible, the best way to make a decision about a school is to visit, preferably with your children. Use this opportunity to meet the head teacher or principal, speak to teachers, and get a feel for the atmosphere school. If you cannot visit in person the school may be able to put you in touch with current parents who can share their impression of the institution. The best school for one child will not necessarily be the best school for another, and the decision can be a difficult one. With careful research, however, parents can at least know that they are sending their children to a high-quality school with rigorous standards at which their children will be given a chance to develop and excel.

Source:http://www.cobis.org.uk/how-to/how-to-choose-a-british-international-school.html