Eligibility Criteria for Membership

To be eligible to apply for membership, a school must meet the following criteria:

BSO Accreditation

Your school must be officially recognised by the UK Department for Education as a British School Overseas. This means:

  • The school has undergone a successful BSO inspection by a DfE-approved inspectorate.

  • The school has met all required BSO standards and has an inspection report judged as at least “satisfactory” in all categories.

  • The school holds current accreditation within the last 3 or 4 years, or has been granted a DfE-approved inspection extension.

British Character

Your school must clearly demonstrate a British educational ethos, including:

  • A curriculum based on the English National Curriculum (or close equivalent).

  • A leadership structure, staffing model, and teaching approach that reflect British education practices.

  • A commitment to promoting core British values, adapted appropriately to the local cultural context.

Leadership Alignment

The school’s Headteacher or Principal must be:

  • Fully committed to the BSO standards and ethos.

  • Willing to actively engage in AoBSO's collaborative professional community.

  • Willing to actively promote the DfE BSO inspection scheme amongst their networks as the only accreditation recognised by the UK Government.

  • Responsible for leading the school in accordance with the principles of transparency, inclusion, and excellence upheld by AoBSO.

Ready to Join AoBSO?

If your school holds BSO status and shares our commitment to excellence in British international education, we welcome your application.

Join a growing global network of school leaders who are shaping the future of British education overseas.