Supporting partners

British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) is a membership organisation that connects and supports over 150 high-quality British curriculum schools in 10 countries across the region. A further 100 partner members provide educational services, and resources for member schools.

Collaboration, inclusion and innovation are key values of BSME. School leaders, staff and students benefit from a wide range of member activities. These include regional student events, teacher professional development and educational conferences. 

BSME is also actively engaged in representing the interests of its member schools at regional and UK governmental level.

BSME member schools are required to be accredited via the UK government-approved British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection system, which assures the highest standards throughout the organisation and ensures the BSME brand is synonymous with high quality education. 

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COBIS is a membership association that represents more than 450 schools and organisations globally. High-quality COBIS schools, which educate over 196,000 students and employ more than 20,000 teachers, can be found in more than 80 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. 

COBIS Supporting Associates provide a wide range of services and resources to the international schools sector.

A fundamental aim of COBIS is to support our members and represent their interests in Britain and overseas, particularly with government, education authorities and educational associations. We are committed to advancing the interests of British schools overseas and the commercial organisations that export education resources, products and services.

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The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) supports the UK’s international education sector by promoting UK education globally, attracting international students, and helping education providers expand abroad. It works to enhance the UK’s reputation as a world leader in education, supports international partnerships, and the wider Department supports the development of trade agreements. Through these efforts, DBT plays a key role in growing the UK's international education market.

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Founded in 1965, ECIS (the Educational Collaborative for International Schools) is a non-profit global membership organisation. ECIS exists as a professional life-force for members, a vibrant network of thoughtful doers and change-makers. Our membership represents 500 membership communities and 40,000+ passionate educators and leaders in over 80 countries. 

ECIS members are privy to an abundance of strategy, inspiration, bright ideas and daringly innovative projects that can help shape and enhance your own objectives.  

ECIS is focused on skill development and creating a culture of lifelong learning. We believe that education should be personalised, immersive, embedded, connected, evolutionary and diverse.

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The Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) is the leading educational association representing a diverse and dynamic network of British international schools across Asia. With over 100 Member Schools in 20 countries and more than 150 Affiliate organisations, FOBISIA fosters collaboration, professional growth, and student enrichment across the region.

FOBISIA’s mission is to promote and support global citizenship through high-quality British-style international education throughout Asia. Our vision is to be the leading international school network in the world.

FOBISIA offers a wide range of programmes and opportunities for both students and educators. Student enrichment events include sports, music, drama, visual arts, and leadership opportunities. Our flagship multi-sport series, The Games, has been running for over 30 years and brings together thousands of students annually.

For educators, FOBISIA provides a robust year-round professional learning programme, featuring in-person conferences, Job-Alike Workshops, and webinars. These cover areas including leadership, curriculum development, safeguarding, subject-specific pedagogy, and school operations.

FOBISIA maintains strong partnerships with educational bodies and advocates on behalf of member schools, helping to raise standards and shape the future of international education in Asia.

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For more than 50 years, the International Baccalaureate (IB) has been a global leader in international education – helping young people flourish while developing them into inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring citizens ready to help create a more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. 

The IB’s continuum of four programmes empowers students aged 3-19 years to take ownership of their learning, developing well-rounded individuals who can respond to today’s challenges with optimism and an open mind. IB educators are creative and curious and benefit from working alongside engaged colleagues in a rewarding career supported by a strong global network.

The IB is offered in over 5,700 schools across 159 countries and provides a solid, consistent framework and the flexibility to tailor students’ education according to their culture and context.  

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