What is an International School?
International schools' pupils are mainly not native to the country where the school is situated. Their parents may be working for international companies or organisations, at embassies or in religious missions. As families travel the world, so children may be enrolled in similar schools where they will be able to continue with the same curriculum, for example, the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).
International schools are also popular with local families, who perceive advantages in a multicultural and multilingual educational environment for their children and in following an international curriculum. Non-national students are likely to have to change schools frequently and international schools enable them to have continuity in their studies.
International schools are vibrant communities where the teachers and staff represent many different nationalities: one international school in London boasts proudly of no less than 66.
The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is the accreditation body for British International Schools around the world. Schools belonging to COBIS are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
International schools situated in the United Kingdom are inspected by the relevant authorities, according to statutory requirements.