The market for international schools is continuing to grow, according to Nick Brummitt, managing director of the International School Consultancy Group.
At a recent conference in London, Mr Brummitt told delegates that demand for the schools - defined as English-medium schools in non-English-speaking countries that follow international curricula - was being driven by locals rather than by English and American families living abroad.
Asia had the most international schools, Mr Brummitt added, and there was also potential for growth in the region. Chinese citizens were not permitted to send their children to foreign-owned schools without special permission, but demand for English-language instruction was still high. In response, some developers were seeking to set up Chinese-owned schools that teach in English.
Mr Brummitt predicted that the sector in Africa would also show “dramatic growth” over the next 10 years.
Around the world
42% of international schools offer a UK curriculum
24% offer a US curriculum
18% offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme
10% offer the IB Primary Years Programme
7% offer the IB Middle Years Programme
4% offer the International Primary Curriculum
4% offer the Cambridge Primary international curriculum
Growth of international schools since 2000
2000
2,500 schools
90,000 staff
2013
6,700 schools
316,000 staff
2018 (forecast)
9,000 schools
423,000 staff
2023 (forecast)
12,000 schools
566,000 staff
Source for all data: International School Consultancy Group.
