The Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO) is a not-for-profit membership association recognised by the United Kingdom Department for Education (DfE).  This means that AoBSO has a voice that is listened to on BSO matters within the international education sector and the UK government.  AoBSO openly lobbies for the interests of its member schools and those aspiring to BSO accreditation.

Operating under a Headteacher-led Board, AoBSO strives to connect the best in educational thinking and practices in schools worldwide.  an association led by the leaders of some of the best British schools worldwide, AoBSO is unique in offering an environment in which best pedagogical and leadership practice is shared in order to achieve and maintain the highest educational outcomes for every pupil.

AoBSO was founded following the introduction of the BSO inspection scheme in 2012 by Ed Goodwin OBE. In addition to Chairing AoBSO and BSME, Ed was long-term Principal of St Christopher’s School, Bahrain leading it through a number of outstanding BSO inspections. Ed worked closely with the DfE on the development of BSO accreditation and continues to work with the AoBSO Board in the interests of all British international schools. Ed was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in December 2013 in recognition of his contribution to British international education.

AoBSO does not intend to duplicate or replace the excellent work of the other DfE recognised overseas bodies (BSME, NABSS, COBIS and FOBISIA) but aims to be complementary to these associations.