BSO Accreditation: The Only Path to UK Government Recognition

If your school aspires to be truly recognised as a British School Overseas, there is only one accreditation that carries the full weight and authority of the UK Government: BSO accreditation.

Established by the UK Department for Education (DfE), the British Schools Overseas (BSO) scheme is the sole official inspection and accreditation framework for British international schools.

Unlike other accreditations, BSO is:

  • Formally recognised by the UK Government

  • Independently monitored by Ofsted, the same inspectorate responsible for schools in England

  • The only accreditation that leads to listing on the official UK Government website

Be Listed on .GOV.UK – The UK’s Official Education Registry

When a school successfully achieves BSO accreditation, it is awarded a unique reference number and included in the UK Government’s official school database: Get Information About Schools (GIAS).

This listing on .gov.uk is a clear, public confirmation that your school meets the rigorous standards of a British education, standards that align with independent schools in England.

No other international school accreditation offers this level of recognition, transparency, or assurance to parents, staff, and stakeholders.

Why BSO Matters

Exclusivity: Only BSO-accredited schools are recognised as “British Schools Overseas” by the UK Government.

Credibility: Inspections are carried out by DfE-approved inspectorates and quality assured by Ofsted.

Visibility: Your school is listed on .gov.uk, offering international credibility and reassurance to families worldwide.

Alignment: Standards are directly benchmarked against independent schools in England.

Stand Out with the Only Accreditation That Counts

Claiming to be a British school is easy. Proving it to the world through official UK Government recognition is only possible with BSO accreditation.

At AoBSO, we’re here to support your school on its journey to full BSO status, from initial readiness through to successful inspection and official listing with the UK Government.

In Summary

BSO accreditation is the only internationally recognised standard that carries the full endorsement of the UK Government. Backed by the Department for Education and independently quality assured by Ofsted, it confirms that a school delivers an education comparable to top independent schools in England. Successful BSO-accredited schools are formally listed on the UK Government’s official database (.gov.uk), offering global credibility and assurance to families and stakeholders. If your school wants to be officially recognised as a British international school, BSO is the only accreditation that matters.