Guide

Inspections and accreditation at international schools

International schools are not inspected in the same way as state schools in their home country. Knowing who checks a school helps you judge what a badge on its website means.

Local regulation

Every international school must meet the rules of the country it is in. In some places, such as Dubai, a government regulator inspects private schools and publishes reports. In others there is little public reporting.

Accreditation

Many schools are accredited by international organisations. Common examples are the Council of International Schools (CIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Accreditation usually involves a self-study and a visit by a team of reviewers.

British schools overseas

British international schools can choose to be inspected under the British Schools Overseas scheme, using a framework set by the UK Department for Education.

Curriculum authorisation

A school offering the IB must be authorised by the International Baccalaureate. Schools teaching Cambridge programmes are registered Cambridge schools.

What to do

Ask a school which bodies inspect or accredit it, and ask to read the most recent report. A good school will be happy to share it. If a school is vague about who inspects it, treat that as a question to follow up, not a detail to skip.