Dear Colleague,

Together we are going to explore the theme of Transformations. Are you joining us? Have you booked your place for the 36th COBIS annual conference in London, 6-8 May? It's exciting times as conference is less than two months away and counting. With delegate numbers building, so far, representatives from over 50 countries will be participating. The programme has something for everybody: inspirational keynotes, reflection time, panel discussions, consultations, seminars, networking and dinners.

I am delighted to announce this year's annual conference headline sponsor – Naviance by Hobsons and thank them for their generous support. As an innovative provider of learning software, they are well placed to support schools within our global network. In advance of conference, I'd encourage you to review their website. Of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to talk to representatives from Naviance at conference, in addition to all other valued exhibitors and COBIS Supporting Members. Thank you to colleagues who have booked their delegate places and exhibition stands. On behalf of the COBIS Executive Team and COBIS Board, we look forward to welcoming you all.

Our annual conference will be an excellent opportunity for all members, and prospective ones, to learn more about the Patron's Accreditation and Compliance which is now near completion of the pilot phase. Congratulations to the staff, pupils and wider school community in the pilot schools in Dubai, Luxembourg and Kuala Lumpur. We look forward to sharing further details during conference and to colleagues from pilot schools sharing their experience of this non-judgemental school improvement and external validation model. 

To register your school's interest in participating in The Patron's Accreditation and Compliance model, or if you have any questions, please contact Peter Simpson, COBIS Director of Accreditation or complete this form. As you know, the Patron's Accreditation and Compliance model becomes the primary route to COBIS membership from 1 April 2017. As with all COBIS initiatives, this innovative new quality assurance model is designed for the benefit of children and young people, families and staff at your school.

With students at the forefront of what we do, I'd like to highlight and wish every success to COBIS pupils from 17 schools who will come together in the UK for the COBIS Primary Games in just 4 week's time. Any school which has participated in this competition will know how inspiring it is to watch youngsters from all over the world to come together to enjoy, achieve and compete. New friendships will be created and a winning team will be crowned. However, all connected to the Games will generate memories which will last a lifetime. That can't be bad can it!

Finally, I look forward to sharing your company and to catching up in person at our annual conference in London, 6-8 May.

Until then, best wishes,

Colin Bell
CEO

COBIS NEWS

36TH COBIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE - FAST APPROACHING!

The 36th COBIS Annual Conference is now less than two months away! We look forward to welcoming delegates, exhibitors, speakers and guests to the InterContinental London - The O2 in London, UK from 6-8 May 2017.

If you haven't booked your place, please visit https://www.cobis.org.uk/AC2017. The conference theme is Transformations and keynote speakers will include Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching and Professor Ian Robertson, Chair in Psychology at Trinity College Dublin and author of The Stress Test. A number of COBIS headteachers will be presenting seminars and case studies throughout the conference.

Click here to see the draft programme.

We are also pleased to announce that the Headline Sponsor for the 36th COBIS Annual Conference is Naviance by Hobsons.

COBIS - COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING

COBIS CEO COLIN BELL SHARES OPPORTUNITIES OF GROWING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS MARKET WITH UK INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

COBIS CEO Colin Bell was invited to Malvern College, UK in February to celebrate the launch of Malvern College Hong Kong. 

Colin was also able to meet with Heads from Malvern College's overseas schools in China and Egypt in November, as well as with the Headmaster of Malvern College in the UK. Colin was delighted to draw upon the wealth of knowledge in the COBIS network and share with our colleagues at Malvern College details regarding the opportunities and challenges specific to the growing international schools market. 

KEY STAGE 1 AND KEY STAGE 2 TESTS - ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

The dates for the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests can be found in their respective assessment and reporting arrangements- please see links below.

KS1 tests are to be administered during May 2017. Schools have the whole month to choose when to administer them.

KS2 tests are scheduled for administration from Monday 8 May to Thursday 11 May, with timetable variations possible up until Thursday 18 May.

Please note: These dates are for when the tests will be sat by schools in England. The test materials will not be available for other schools i.e. schools overseas to access until after these dates.

The Key Stage 1 materials will be available to download from GOV.UK on Monday 5 June.

The Key Stage 2 materials will be available from GOV.UK on Monday 22 May.

NEW FACES AT COBIS HEAD OFFICE

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and EVENTS NEWS

CPD TOOLKIT - SPECIAL OFFER FOR COBIS SCHOOLS

Would you like to deliver your own high-quality CPD in your school?

CPD Toolkit provides high-quality materials (including presentations, facilitator support, case studies, practical activities and videos) that can be picked up, easily adapted to local needs, and delivered by a training facilitator in your school.

COBIS Schools are now eligible for a 10% discount on this service.

COBIS CPD CALENDAR FOR 2017/18

COBIS is now working on the CPD Calendar for 2017/18. If your school is interested in hosting a COBIS Conference or training event, please contact Dr Fiona Rogers, Director of Professional Development and Research, on cpd@cobis.org.uk

TWO SUCCESSFUL COBIS CONFERENCES IN ROMANIA AND BELGIUM

In mid-February two successful COBIS conferences took place simultaneously in Romania, and Belgium, catering to many different aspects of the school workforce.

The COBIS Conference for EAL Staff was held at the British School of Bucharest, 16-17 February. More than 50 participants travelled from schools in 15 different countries including Japan, Saudi Arabia, Luxembourg and Italy, to hear from distinguished EAL experts over the course of the conference.

At the same time in Brussels, the COBIS Conference for PAs and School Secretaries was taking place at the British School of Brussels. This conference was a wonderful opportunity for more than 45 Personal Assistants, Office Managers, and Secretaries to share expertise, gain new skills, and develop an international network.

COBIS would like to thank all who attended these conferences, the speakers and facilitators, and staff at British School of Bucharest and British School of Brussels for making these conferences such a success.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT NEWS

COBIS PRIMARY CREATIVE CHALLENGE – "LIFE LESSONS"

Thanks to all who submitted one of the 21 films entered into the COBIS Primary Creative Challenge. The COBIS Head Office team has really enjoyed watching them, as have the team at Oddizzi.

This year's challenge asked students from Key Stage 1 and 2 to create a film on "Life Lessons" and the things they feel they ought to be taught. The films have been very engaging and are truly a celebration of learning, both inside and beyond the school gates.

We will be announcing the winners on the COBIS website shortly so please do go to www.cobis.org.uk/pcc to watch the films and see the winning entries from next week.

GOOD LUCK TO OUR SCIENTISTS AND ARTISTS

The deadlines for two popular COBIS Student Competitions are drawing near - so get creative and be sure to submit your entry in time to win some fantastic prizes!

Good luck to all students taking part in the Young Scientist Film Awards - the deadline is 31 March. The teams at COBIS and NPL are looking forward to viewing your great films! If you'd like to take part, there is still time! Just go to www.cobis.org.uk/science to register.  

Good luck to all entering the COBIS Art Competition - the deadline is 5 April. All the submissions to date have been great and we look forward to seeing more entries over the next few weeks.

UPCOMING STUDENT EVENTS

All COBIS schools are invited to participate in the competitions, events and awards available for students.

This year's programme for students includes lots of exciting events and competitions for students of all ages to take part in. Below are the dates and deadlines for all COBIS student engagement opportunities

• COBIS Poetry Competition - 17 March 2017
  
  
• COBIS Young Scientist Film Awards - 31 March 2017
  
  
• COBIS Art Competition - 5 April 2017
  
  
• COBIS Primary Games - 11-13 April 2017
  
  
• COBIS Student Achievement Awards - 13 April 2017
  
  
• COBIS Secondary Games - 19-21 May 2017
  
  
• COBIS Senior School Music Festival - 26-28 May 2017

NEW FOR 2017 - COBIS GLOBAL SOCIAL LEADERS CATALYST IN CHINA!

COBIS is delighted to announce a fantastic new opportunity for students in all COBIS schools to participate in a unique leadership course in China in December!

COBIS are working in partnership with Future Foundations and the Wellington Leadership Institute to deliver the COBIS Global Social Leaders (GSL) Catalyst at Wellington College International Shanghai in December 2017. 

Do you have students in Years 8, 9 and 10 who show leadership potential? Bring a group to Shanghai to develop their leadership skills, build their confidence, and experience exciting and unique aspects of Chinese culture through a cultural excursion. Accompanying teachers can also benefit from a specific staff leadership programme delivered by Future Foundations and the Wellington Leadership Institute plus full access to the main GSL Catalyst Course. Furthermore, one teacher attends for free for every five student places booked!

NEWS FROM COBIS SCHOOLS

DOHA COLLEGE ART STUDENTS EXHIBIT ARTWORK AT 5-STAR DOHA HOTEL

A whirlwind of colour and texture adorns The Bridge at the InterContinental Doha The City hotel; this unique artwork has been produced by talented Art students from Doha College.

The exhibition showcases 20 pieces of original artwork from GCSE and A Level students. Mr Ferhan Khan, Head of Art at Doha College said: "We are immensely proud of the work our students produce; it gives us a lot of satisfaction, as their teachers, to see the artistic journey and growth these students go through in their techniques, developing their personal styles and bringing their creative visions to life.

COBIS is committed to nurturing, developing and recognising students' talents and achievements. The COBIS Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity for student artists to showcase their artistic interpretations of this year's theme Transformations. The Competition closes in one month, so be sure to get your entries in now! Find full details on the COBIS website at www.cobis.org.uk/art.

NEWS FROM COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBERS

THE FUTURE FOR EXPORTING UK EDUCATION ABROAD

Westminster Education Forum would like to invite COBIS Supporting Members to attend a timely seminar considering the future for exporting UK education abroad. It takes place in light of the Government's ongoing commitment to increase education exports to £30 billion by 2020 and amid continued growth in the number of overseas UK boarding schools.

Delegates will discuss the next steps for increasing exports of UK education products overseas in view of the UK's likely exit from the European Union and competition from other countries providing English-medium education, including best practice in developing and tailoring education products to international markets and government steps to support awarding bodies, qualification providers and EdTech companies to increase exports.

The seminar is expected to bring together key policymakers including parliamentarians and senior officials with stakeholders in the education industry. Keynote speakers include Geoff Gladding, Sector Lead, Education Team, Department for International Trade and Vipul Bhargava, Special Advisor, Education Technology and International Schools, Department for International Trade.

NEW FACES FOR COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBERS WCBS AND ISC RESEARCH

Two valued COBIS Supporting Members, WCBS and ISC Research, are delighted to have recently welcomed new CEOs to their businesses. 

Emma Goodwin joined WCBS as CEO in January 2017. Emma's appointment to WCBS comes at a time of significant growth and development for the company. As the leading supplier of information management and financial systems for independent schools, WCBS has a very strong presence in the UK an is also developing its position internationally. Having already established a reputation for high quality customer service, which includes providing extended hours to accommodate the working hours of international clients, WCBS will further develop crucial customer service provision under Emma's leadership.

ISC Research is delighted to announce the appointment of Leigh Webb as CEO. Leigh's move to ISC Research (ISC) comes at a time when investment and development within the international schools market is substantial. ISC is currently supporting over 25 projects for independent schools developing their brands internationally, as well as many established international schools going through expansion. "This is a very exciting opportunity to lead an organisation that's already respected and well-established in the market, into a new period of development and expansion," says Leigh.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE

The Department for International Trade would like to invite COBIS Supporting Members to contribute to a consultation that DIT  is undertaking, to ensure that the Department understands the current challenges for UK businesses seeking to work with a number of markets across the world.

DIT will hold Ministerial Trade Dialogues (MTD) with Azerbaijan, China, Qatar and Turkey over the next quarter. Ahead of these Dialogues, DIT would like to hear from businesses to help understand the high level issues that they face, specifically those issues that the Department's Ministers could raise with their counterparts in the market. DIT are particularly keen to understand what specific actions HMG can ask of our partners' Governments that would result in easier, or new, access for UK businesses to that market.

The deadline for participation in the survey is Monday 20 March 2017.

COBIS SCHOOLS AND SUPPORTING MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY

It's just three weeks until the TIC Recuritment team tackle the highest twin peaks in Southern Britain in aid of charity. Andrew Wigford from the TIC team tells us about the project:

We are raising money for a very worthwhile project in Nepal alongside the British International School Kathmandu.This money will go towards a school building project aimed at getting children back into school following the natural disaster in 2015.

If we can raise £2000 we can make a huge contribution to children's lives in a country that is still struggling to recover from this catastrophe. Help us make a real difference. All the money raised will go directly to schools affected and we promise to send you photographs of the work as it's carried out.

It's so easy to contribute - just click the link below and give us what you can. 

WHAT ARE CHILDREN IN THE UK READING TODAY?

On February 23rd, the What Kids are Reading Report 2017 report and findings were released by COBIS Supporting Members Renaissance Learning. Written by Professor Keith Topping, What Kids are Reading is an annual report exploring the reading habits of students across the UK.

This report gives insight into popular book preferences for UK Curriculum students at each year level, as well as the book preferences of high achieving readers. It also explores key trends in fiction and non-fiction reading that may assist in building your library book lists, plus much more!

A must read for every UK Curriculum educator, if you have any further questions around the report please feel free to contact one of the Renaissance Learning team.

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