What is an International School?

When I began my international teaching career, I assumed that an international school was the same the world over and that for a school to call itself international, there must naturally be some accreditation to show that the school meets certain standards. 

I was sure that a school could not just call itself international, but I now know that this assumption was mistaken. After 20 years in international education, and having studied the research related to international education, I feel qualified to answer the question posed above.

The first international schools are considered to be The International School of Geneva and Yokohama International School, both founded in 1924.  Since then, and especially in the last decade, there has been an explosion in the number of schools calling themselves international. With this in mind it is important for parents to consider what makes a school into an international school.  What are the key, defining features that allow an international school to use that title?  There are a number of features that help us recognise the real from the fake ones.

Students

A truly international body of students is essential. Without this mixture of cultures, attitudes, ideas and behaviours how can a school call itself international? This is the only way a child can have a true international experience and develop the open-mindedness and tolerance indicative of an international education. Luckily, in our school we have 77 nationalities, although of course many students themselves have a multi-international background and find it hard to describe their nationality.

Teachers

The international feel of a school would be lost if only the students were international, and lessons should reflect this diversity. At Compass International School, the teachers come from 44 different countries, with the vast majority having gained their qualifications in the UK.

Curriculum

A true international school will adapt the curriculum to meet the international needs of its students.  Whilst a British Style curriculum is the basis for some of the best in class, adapting this to an international setting allows schools to build on the best of British with the UK based International Primary Curriculum (IPC),  IGCSEs, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and A- Levels. Compass International School is the only school in Qatar offering both of these world recognised university entrance curricula.

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

Examination results alone will not get your child into the very top universities in the world. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is world recognised as the ideal vehicle to create the adventurous, responsible and self-reliant students that top universities require. This award will play a prominent role in any international school worthy of the name.

International Collaborations

Many international schools are part of global partnerships because we recognise that single schools working in isolation do not have the level of challenge and rigor that a top tier schools group provides.  Nord Anglia Education is considered to be leading premium schools organisation in the world and it has ground-breaking collaborations with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Juilliard School and UNICEF. Using their network of school leaders, teachers and students, they have created a virtual space for sharing ideas and learning from each other in through their unique Global Campus.

Extra-Curricular Activities

A good international school will provide a wide-range of extra-curricular activities to meet the needs of the child. From award winning choirs and orchestras to STEAM clubs and sports, international schools will offer children the opportunity to mix with different groups and different ages beyond those available within their classroom spaces.

In conclusion, whilst many schools call themselves international, few are truly embracing all that this implies.  There are many international schools where there is a fixed mindset to adopt one national curriculum or one cultural standard.  The best international schools adapt their learning programmes to meet their international environment and their international students.  Parents need to consider the above points before selecting the best school for their child.

Simon Porter is Head of Secondary at Compass International School’s new state of the Art Themaid campus. He also has a Masters in International Education and writes regularly for the Times Educational Supplement. 

Interested parents might want to try reading Introduction to international education: International schools and their communities by Mary Hayden (2006, Paul Chapman Publishing)