The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.

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COBIS to become member association of ISC

12 May 2008

The Council of British International Schools (COBIS, formerly COBISEC) is to become the eighth Constituent Member Association of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). COBIS is an association of high-quality British curriculum schools and has schools in over 25 countries.

There are approximately 5000 English-medium international schools worldwide, and nearly 2000 of these teach the UK National Curriculum. COBIS member schools undergo an inspection via the UK-based Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), ensuring that they meet the same standards as ISC schools in the UK.

Speaking today, COBIS Chairman, Roger Fry, said:

"The increasingly mobile workforce and society's global outlook has turned international education into a fast-growing industry. COBIS welcomes the support of ISC and the opportunity for our schools to act as ambassadors of the UK independent sector overseas. British international schools are the ‘shop window' for British education, often educating the professional classes in the countries where they are located. Their incorporation into the established UK system of inspection and accreditation under the auspices ISC will be hugely beneficial."

Chris Parry, ISC Chief Executive, added:

"It is hoped that this new relationship between COBIS and ISC will encourage more schools to adopt official inspection procedures and become formal international ISC members. This will promote high standards in British international education and allow ISC to provide more wide-ranging information to parents about independent schools in the UK and abroad."

Notes to Editors

The Council of British International Schools (COBIS, formerly COBISEC)
COBIS was founded in 1981 as COBISEC (Council of British Independent Schools in the European Communities) and is a Charitable Association registered in The Hague. COBIS provides:

Formal British accreditation to schools worldwide
Quality-assurance
Support and networking opportunities for schools
Representation for member schools with the British Government, educational bodies, and the corporate sector
Access to information about trends and developments in UK education
Continuing professional development for teachers and managers
Information for parents
Job listings for teachers

COBIS will join seven other Constituent Member Associations of ISC: Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS), Girls' Schools Association (GSA), Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Independent Schools Association (ISA), Independent Schools' Bursars Association (ISBA) and Society of Headmasters & Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS).

Independent Schools Council (ISC)
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is a politically independent, not-for-profit umbrella body, representing around 1300 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children in the UK and Ireland. ISC schools include the well-known boarding schools, though the majority of ISC schools are day schools with strong local reputations. ISC schools cover the entire academic range and take pupils from a broad cross-section of backgrounds, with nearly a third of children receiving help with fees. Overall, ISC exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education; the development of talent at all levels of ability; and the widening of opportunity for children from all backgrounds to achieve their potential.

For more information about COBIS see www.cobis.org.uk or contact the general secretary at general.secretary@cobis.org.uk or by telephone on: +44 1865 488 564.

National press enquiries:
Alexandra Caish, Head of Press, ISC
Telephone: (office) 020 7766 7060 (mobile) 07885 620713
Email: alex.caish@isc.co.uk