The Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO) is a not-for-profit membership association working in partnership with the UK Government Department for Education (DfE).
AoBSO is the only membership association recognised by the UK Government exclusively for the leaders of BSO accredited schools. This means that we have a voice that is listened to on BSO matters within the international education sector and UK government. AoBSO openly lobbies on behalf of our member schools with policy makers at home and abroad as well as promoting BSO and the aims of the UK Government’s International Education Strategy in overseas markets.
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 does not intend to duplicate or replace the excellent work of the other DfE recognised overseas bodies (BSME, COBIS, FOBISIA, LAHC and NABSS) but aims to be complementary to these associations. We actively encourage all BSO schools to be members of both AoBSO and their regional membership association.
AoBSO Conference
The 2024 AoBSO Annual Headteachers' Conference will take place from 25-27 November 2024 at the Richmond Hill Hotel, London.
This year’s conference will continue our focus on the unique challenges of leading BSO schools and leading the UK International Education Strategy overseas.
The programme will include essential briefings from both the UK Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) alongside a programme of world-class keynote speakers and plenty of time for attendees to network with BSO colleagues from around the world.
We look forward to welcoming you to Richmond in November and building on the successes of the 2023 Annual Conference.
AoBSO Membership
Why should I consider AoBSO membership if I am a member of other Associations?
AoBSO is the only UK Government partner Association solely representing BSO leaders in discussions with the UK Government.
Many of the very best BSO schools are already members of the Association.
The very best international schools are outward looking schools with outward looking school leaders. AoBSO provides the best and only forum and Conference for high quality global British international school leaders to connect, share best practice and benefit from the Association's direct links with Government departments.
Being a member of AoBSO makes a school stand out from the crowd in an ever-increasing international school marketplace.
As an outward looking school leader you are where you are now. But where do you hope to be in 3, 5 or 10 years from now? Being a member of AoBSO will open up new global networking opportunities with like-minded and outstanding school leaders. This will undoubtedly enhance your own global reputation and profile within the global British international school sector.
What is BSO?
British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation is the UK Government'sinspection scheme for British International Schools.
It enables successful schools to compare themselves to leading Independent Schools in England and many of the very best British Schools around the world.
This is the only accreditation scheme endorsed by the UK Government and advocated within the UK Government's International Education Strategy (IES)
