How to choose a British international school: a parent's checklist
A practical, step-by-step checklist for comparing British international schools abroad: accreditation, teachers, results, pastoral care, fees and fit.
Choosing a school abroad is one of the biggest decisions in any international move. Glossy websites tend to look alike, so this checklist focuses on the evidence that separates a strong British school from a weak one.
1. Confirm it is genuinely British
- Does it follow the National Curriculum for England with UK year groups? See the English National Curriculum abroad.
- Does it hold a BSO inspection, COBIS or CIS accreditation, or other recognised quality marks? Ask for the latest report.
- Which exam boards does it use for IGCSE/GCSE and A-Level?
- Is it licensed by the host country’s education authority?
2. Look at the teachers
Teachers make the school. Ask:
- What share of teachers are UK-trained or hold qualified teacher status?
- What is the average length of stay? High turnover every two years is normal in some markets, but a stable core of staff is a strong sign.
- How does the school recruit, and does it follow safer recruitment practices?
3. Read the results properly
- Ask for IGCSE and A-Level results for the last three years, with the number of students who sat them.
- Is the school selective? High results from a selective intake tell you less about the quality of teaching.
- Where do leavers go? Ask for university destinations, not just a list of famous names that one student once attended.
4. Pastoral care and wellbeing
- What is the structure: form tutors, a house system, counsellors?
- How does the school support new arrivals mid-year?
- How does it handle bullying, and how are parents informed?
- What learning support (SEN) and EAL provision exists, and at what extra cost?
5. Language and the host country
- How much host-country language is taught, and is it compulsory?
- Are there separate tracks for native speakers and beginners?
- Does the school help with local qualification recognition, for example Spain’s homologation for university entry?
6. Practicalities and cost
- Fees: tuition plus capital levies, enrolment fees, bus, uniform, meals, trips and exam fees. See our guide to international school fees.
- Transport: bus routes and journey times from the areas you are considering.
- Calendar: term dates and how they align with your work and travel.
- Waiting lists: how places are allocated and whether siblings get priority.
7. Visit, and ask the right people
Visit in person if you can, during a normal teaching day. Talk to current parents outside the official tour, ideally families whose situation is like yours. Ask your child what they noticed. Children often pick up on atmosphere faster than adults.
A simple scoring sheet
Rate each shortlisted school from 1 to 5 on: accreditation, teaching staff, academic results, pastoral care, language provision, location and transport, and total cost. Add your child’s own rating. The numbers won’t decide for you, but they make the trade-offs easier to see.
Next: the admissions process at British international schools.
Frequently asked questions
How early should we start looking for a school abroad?
Ideally 9 to 12 months before the move. Popular British schools in cities such as Madrid, Lisbon, Dubai and Singapore can have waiting lists, especially in Early Years and in entry years such as Year 7 and Year 12.
Should we choose a school before choosing where to live?
Usually, yes. In many cities the commute to school shapes daily life far more than the commute to work, and school buses may only serve certain areas.
Are bigger schools better?
Not necessarily. Larger schools offer more subjects and activities; smaller schools often offer closer pastoral care. Match the school to your child.