The Council of British International Schools (COBIS)

COBIS is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). It requires all of its members to be inspected by a UK-recognised inspectorate, and it accredits after inspection using the ISC system.

COBIS supports the DfE international inspection scheme and is able to provide advice and assistance to schools interested in official inspection and accreditation. Its offices and executive director are in Farnborough, Hampshire. Visit the COBIS website for more information.

British schools in the Middle East (BSME)

BSME was founded in 1981 and is a membership organisation of over 70 British-style schools spread across the Middle East and North Africa. BSME schools educate almost 70,000 students and employ some 5000 teachers. As an organisation dedicated to raising standards of learning in the region, BSME has developed a comprehensive set of learning-focused accreditation standards that all schools will be obliged to meet.

BSME warmly supports the Department's voluntary inspection scheme for British Schools Overseas and was pleased to contribute to its development. The combination of BSO inspection and BSME accreditation will greatly assist schools to develop their practices to the benefit of all students. Additionally, these initiatives will provide valuable information to parents and give them reassurance as to the quality of specific overseas schools in which they are interested.

Further information can be found on the BSME website.

The National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS)

NABSS is a membership organisation comprising over sixty schools. The Association was formed to protect schools'  interests, particularly in response to changing educational legislation in Spain. While NABSS continues such work, its present influence reaches far wider. The Association organises a National Conference, which includes the agm, workshops, and a large exhibition, and provides professional development courses throughout the year. NABSS also has its own inspection and accreditation systems and works closely with the British Council.

NABSS supports the development of the new BSO inspection scheme and hopes to participate directly, building on the success of its own systems in Spain. Further information can be found on the BSME website .