Putting Safeguarding at the Heart of International Education

AoBSO is a proud Founding Member of the British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC), a global alliance of organisations committed to advancing the highest standards of safeguarding practice across British international schools worldwide.

As the association for leaders of BSO-accredited schools, safeguarding is central to AoBSO’s mission. Our involvement in BISSC reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that every child in a British School Overseas is educated in an environment that is not only academically excellent but also emotionally safe, supportive, and secure.

What is BISSC?

The British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC) is a collaborative initiative bringing together accrediting bodies, school associations, inspectorates, and training organisations that serve British international schools. Its core aim is to:

  • Promote consistent, high-quality safeguarding standards across the global British schools sector

  • Encourage alignment with international best practice, including guidance from the UK Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, and the International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP)

  • Share resources, expertise, and training to build safer school cultures for children and young people everywhere

Why AoBSO’s Role Matters

As a founding member, AoBSO provides a vital voice for the leaders of DfE-accredited British Schools Overseas, ensuring that safeguarding guidance is shaped by the real world experience of school heads working in diverse cultural and legal contexts. Our member schools operate on every continent, often navigating complex local regulations while upholding British safeguarding standards.

Through BISSC, AoBSO advocates for solutions that are both rigorous and realistic, ensuring BSO schools are supported, not isolated, in their duty to protect students.

Our Commitment to Safer Schools

AoBSO’s safeguarding priorities include:

  • Supporting schools to implement BSO inspection standards relating to welfare, health, and safety

  • Promoting safer recruitment, ongoing staff training, and strong reporting cultures

  • Providing guidance aligned with UK statutory safeguarding frameworks

  • Encouraging peer collaboration and shared learning on safeguarding best practice

  • Working closely with Ofsted and DfE-approved inspectorates to uphold high standards across inspections

Looking Ahead

Our partnership with BISSC enhances AoBSO’s capacity to influence policy, shape global safeguarding norms, and deliver greater protection for children in British international schools. It also reaffirms our belief that safeguarding is not a checklist, it’s a culture. One that must be nurtured, shared, and continually improved.

In Summary

Being a founding member of BISSC reflects AoBSO’s unwavering commitment to child protection and school safety.

Together with our coalition partners, we are shaping a future where every British international school, not just in name, but in practice, is a safe place for children to learn, grow, and thrive.