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Dear Colleague,

 

I'm writing to you from Muscat, Oman where I'm privileged to be in attendance for the opening of a new school building at the British School Muscat to mark the school's 40th anniversary. On behalf of COBIS, all good wishes to Mr Kai Vacher and his staff on the next 40 years!

I've been lucky enough to visit the great cities of Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo this month also. Our colleagues at FOBISIA hosted their Annual Conference in the capital of Malaysia earlier in November and I'm sure any other readers who attended will agree it was a fantastic event. COBIS Chairman Trevor Rowell and I met with members of the FOBISIA Board and Executive Team to speak about future collaboration between our two associations and I'm delighted to share that FOBISIA now formally and officially recognise the COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance as a mark of global quality for schools in Asia. As part of this new partnership, FOBISIA schools who are not yet members of COBIS will also be able to participate in our CPD and student events and competitions - a great opportunity for British schools in Asia to engage with other schools on a global level. 

 

Speaking of student events and competitions, excited students at The British School in Tokyo received some encouraging words and a coaching session from former England and Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard at a British Embassy in Japan event last week. Frank, who had the Premier League Trophy in tow when I met him last week, had a positive message for all COBIS students worldwide: "Participate, work hard and the rest will follow!".

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Finally, on behalf of COBIS we are delighted to introduce you to Margaret Garrard in this issue of Connect. Margaret is the new Director of Operations & Deputy CEO at COBIS, running the day-to-day business operations of the organisation in London. I'm sure you will join me in giving her a warm COBIS welcome to our team.


We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter!


Kind regards,

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Colin Bell
CEO

 
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COBIS NEWS

 

FIRST COBIS COMPLIANCE VISITS TAKE PLACE AT SCHOOLS IN DUBAI AND AZERBAIJAN

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We are delighted to have granted COBIS Member status to two schools following successful COBIS Compliance visits at the end of October.

 

Kent College Dubai and Azerbaijan British College were the first two schools to undergo the COBIS Compliance process following the successful pilot stage last academic year. 

 

On the process, Sigve Austheim, Head at Azerbaijan British College said:

 

"I was quite impressed with the DWB (Digital Workbook). Once the documents were uploaded, the LIP (Lead Improvement Partner) was quick to comment and add remarks. The colour coding was also a useful tool, making it easy to understand".

 

We currently have another 11 PA and 25 Compliance visits booked between now and October 2018, so any schools wishing to participate in the scheme should book their visit by clicking below.

 

UK EDUCATION SECTOR PRAISED FOR VALUE OF EDUCATIONAL EXPORTS

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COBIS CEO Colin Bell was delighted to be invited by The Right Honourable Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, to represent COBIS at a Department for International Trade event at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in late October.

 

The Secretary of State commended colleagues within the Education Sector, such as COBIS, for the growth in the value of 'educational exports'. Dr Fox added that last year, the financial export figure of £17.2 billion had out performed the City of London financial insurance sector with stood at £14.1 billion. 

 

COBIS is proud of its partnership with the Department for International Trade as a recognised Trade Challenge Partner and the opportunities this relationship presents for our Schools and Supporting Members.

 

MARGARET GARRARD APPOINTED AS COBIS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & DEPUTY CEO

 
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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Margaret Garrard as COBIS Director of Operations & Deputy CEO.

 

Margaret joins us from Optimus Education, a publishing and events organisation providing CPD and school improvement services for over 5000 schools in the UK and internationally. At Optimus, she held various leadership roles including Head of Operations and Acting MD. Before that, she worked in events at the Haymarket Media Group and is an award-winning graduate of McGill University, Montreal, Canada where she gained both a BA and MA in Anthropology. Margaret is also a professional facilitator and trainer.

 

Margaret can be contacted at operations@cobis.org.uk

 

 

COBIS BLOG - MONTHLY UPDATE

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A new article is posted each week on the COBIS Blog, covering topics of interest to teachers, support staff parents, and students in the international community. Here are our latest blogs:

 

  • "I wanna be the leader" - Read
    Martin Baker and Mike Glanville ask, "who is responsible for safeguarding in an international school?"

  • How digital technologies can help you engage with the whole school community - Read
    Matthew Hastings with some ideas on how schools can get ahead of the game by embracing digital!

  • Why is embracing entrepreneurship in education so important? - Read
    What are we doing to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in our school? David Harkin has an important message.

  • Burberry, Bentleys, Bovril and British teachers: What makes these exports so popular (and will it last?) - Read
    John Martin explores why 'Brand Britain' is thriving when it comes to global education
 

COBIS SCHOOLS NOMINATED FOR AWARDS

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As awards season rolls around again, there is no lack of COBIS schools in the nominations for the TES Independent School Awards and the British International School Awards, a sign of the outstanding quality of leadership and innovative teaching initiatives on display in British international schools worldwide
 
For a full list of nominations, click the relevant button below:

Winners will be announced in the new year - best of luck to everyone involved!

 
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10 Questions gives you the chance to get to know members of the COBIS network a little bit better by asking them ten questions about their achievements, wishes and hidden talents! This month, we talked to Duncan Rose, Principal of The British College of Brazil.

 

1. Which living person do you most admire?
One living person I truly admire is Malala Yousafzai. This is a young person who was told she could not have an education, but fought against all odds for that right. She is now an influential education activist fighting to ensure all children get an education. Despite being at times refused an education she now studies at Oxford University and received the Nobel Peace Prize when just 17 for her work against the suppression of children.

2. Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be musical. I took piano lessons for six years as a young boy, only to be told I was tone deaf by my piano teacher and asked not to attend any more lessons. I am delighted that teaching has become a much kinder profession since those days!

3. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My three daughters. Each has her own strengths and weaknesses that delight me everyday.


4. Where would you most like to live?
I am originally from the Yorkshire Dales. Each time I return for a visit I am astounded by the beauty of The Dales. I have lived in some amazing places over the years, but I will always have a yearning to return to The Dales.

5. What is your favourite book?
I love anything by Charles Dickens.

6. What is your favourite £5 treat?
I have invested recently in a Kindle. Moving around has meant I had to give many books to friends over the years because they become too heavy to transport. My Kindle has solved this sadness. I love reading and would probably spend my £5 on a Kindle book as a treat.

7. When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? 
I had no clue. Careers advice did not really exist, and what there was was pretty uninspiring. I think schools handle this much better nowadays. I certainly did not think I would become something in education!

8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
At the moment I am trying to complete an MBA, which takes up a lot of my spare time. I am also routinely reminded by my children that I am on the wrong side of slim, and so I am trying to exercise more – although I am not sure how much I enjoy that.

9. What is on your bucket list?
I would love to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, learn at least one language other than English well, and go on safari in Africa.


10. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
That I made my own wedding cake.

 
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Each month we will be showcasing one of our alumni from any of our 292 schools around the world. COBIS students are doing amazing things and we want to showcase the talent of past students from our schools, in order to celebrate what they have achieved and to inspire the ­­next generation of students. 

 

This month Hannah spoke to Davide Baldanzi, graduate of St George's British International School in Rome, and Teacher of History in a UK independent school.

 

Click below to read more about Davide's journey to teaching, his top tips for professional life, and his favourite memories of St George's British International School, including one particularly memorable teacher.

 
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and EVENTS NEWS

 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018 - SEMINAR PROPOSALS

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COBIS is currently accepting proposals for seminar presentations at the 37th COBIS Annual Conference – Leading Learning – 12-14 May 2018.


Schools and Supporting Members are invited to submit proposals to deliver seminars as part of the conference programme. Please use this form to submit your proposal. The deadline for proposals is 30 November 2017.   

 

COBIS CONFERENCE FOR BURSARS, BUSINESS MANAGERS AND HR STAFF

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Booking is now open for the COBIS Conference for Bursars, Business Managers and HR Staff, hosted by Dubai College, 1-2 February 2018.

 

The programme will include sessions on:

  • Crisis Management
  • Recruitment/Retention of Staff
  • Future-Proofing Your School
  • Governance
  • Data Protection/GDPR
  • Staff Training and Development
  • And much more


The conference is sponsored by WCBS International. Book your place now.

 

COBIS EDUCATION CONFERENCE
MAKING PERSONALISED LEARNING EFFECTIVE

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The British School of Amsterdam have assembled an excellent programme for the forthcoming Personalised Learning conference.

 

The programme includes sessions on Differentiation, The Positive Classroom, Assessing Learning and Progress, Raising the Challenge, Imagineering, SEN, Early Years, and more.

 

COBIS REGIONAL EAL TRAINING DAYS

NAIROBI, KENYA

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At the end of October, teachers and leaders from schools in Kenya and Tanzania attended one of two regional training days focussing on English as an Additional Language, hosted by Braeburn School and delivered by Veema Education.

 

Before attending the training days, delegates were asked to complete a task that helped them identify the barriers to learning faced by pupils with English as an Additional Language. On the day of the training, delegates discovered how to identify and profile EAL learners and their language learning needs in different contexts, as well as a framework for assessing and tracking over time their proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing English. They also explored how policy, practice, intervention planning and teacher development can best be used so the full linguistic and cultural resources of the school community are most effectively harnessed from an EAL perspective.

 

COBIS is grateful for the hard work and excellent organisation of Joanna Garner at The Braeburn Group of International Schools and Costa Constantinou at Veema Education. We are grateful to Lisa Ashes for delivering the engaging, thought-provoking and enjoyable programme that will no doubt have given all attendees many new ideas to take back to school.

 
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT NEWS

 

SPOTLIGHT ON STEM OPPORTUNITIES FROM COBIS

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Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) all have a profound impact on our everyday lives, and are only predicted to grow in the future. Countless articles call on schools to inspire young people to pursue STEM subjects as research has shown that students who study STEM are more creative, flexible and able to take advantage of the changes that are predicted in the workforce and workplaces of the future.


But many schools find that they don't have the resources, time or expertise to help young people discover their love of STEM. At COBIS, we are proud to offer a number of opportunities, both residential and remote, for students to engage in STEM subjects and develop their knowledge and passions further in these areas. For the 2017/18 academic year we are delighted to offer the Young Scientist Film Awards, a Maths Challenge, and a Medical Review Conference. Read on to find out more about how your students can get involved!

 

COBIS YOUNG SCIENTIST FILM AWARDS

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Run in partnership with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), COBIS wants to see your exciting experiments!

 

Awards will be presented for "Best Film of an Experiment" in three age categories; KS1&2, KS3 and KS4&5.

 

Schools can submit several entries - there is no cap on the number submitted so do not worry if you have lots of hypotheses to try!

 

Click below to find out more information on how to take part.

 

COBIS MATHS CHALLENGE

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The COBIS / Mangahigh Maths Challenge is a free competition for 5-16 year olds designed to engage students with maths.

 

Mangahigh is an online resource for primary and secondary students, which boosts results in maths through smart maths games and adaptive exercises. The competition will run from 20 November to 3 December 2017, with a free access period prior to this to familiarise students, and teachers, with the software and content.

 

The 10 schools with the highest number of points will each receive an Amazon voucher. The top school will be sent an engraved trophy.

 

COBIS MEDICAL REVIEW CONFERENCE

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The 2018 COBIS Medical Review Conference will be hosted by Doha College on Saturday 24 February 2018.

 

Students from Years 11, 12 and 13 from British schools across the world are invited to present on recent developments in medicine to industry experts.

 

The conference is a one-day event. In the morning session, teams will split into breakout rooms where teachers will judge each team's presentation. The four teams with the highest scores will go forward to the afternoon session where they will present to doctors and medical experts from across Qatar.

 

Prizes will be awarded for the teams that come first and second in the morning sessions. For those who proceed to the final, first place will be awarded QAR 2,000, second place QAR 1,000 and third place QAR 500.

 

Schools can apply until 30 November 2017.

 

SCOOP - NEW PRINTED MAGAZINE FOR CURIOUS KIDS AGED 8-12

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Scoop is a fantastic new printed magazine for curious kids between the ages of 8 and 12. It published only original fiction and non-fiction from leading authors such as Neil Gaiman, SF Said, Malorie Blackman, Raymond Briggs, Jacqueline Wilson, Chris Riddell and Laura Dockrill. 

 

Launched in September 2016, its aim is to enthuse children about the
written word in as many ways as possible. It's not only about books; it's about all forms of storytelling told by the very best story-tellers.

 
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NEWS FROM COBIS SCHOOLS

 

ST PAUL'S SCHOOL INVITES YOU TO JOIN 4TH EDUCATION CONFERENCE 

HEALTHY HEARTS, HEALTHY MINDS

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For all educators, the need to provide a safe, secure, happy and stimulating environment for learners is crucial. In today's world this seems even more the case, with young people facing more challenges than ever before, both in real life and online.

 

In the fourth education conference hosted by St. Paul's, we will be looking at ways to make sure our schools remain successful places for learning – as well as places where there is support, guidance and encouragement for all our pupils, to ensure that they are happy and confident in themselves, so that they can flourish personally and academically. In line with our three previous conferences, we look forward to welcoming many delegates, educators and speakers from Brazil and beyond. We will be able to share knowledge and experiences and learn together how we can better support our children as they navigate their way from early childhood to college, becoming happy, well-adjusted and successful learners as they do.

 

The conference will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, 23-25 March 2018.

 
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COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBERS NEWS

 

SING UP's 10TH BIRTHDAY

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Sing Up has celebrated its 10th birthday with an event on Tuesday 7th November in London. This featured wonderful singing from the National Teachers' Choir, led by Baz Chapman, as well as Highfield School Chamber Choir and Mouthful, a four-piece a cappella vocal group, who opened the party in style. Sing Up were joined by friends, contributors, and colleagues past and present.

 

Michelle James, CEO of Sing Up, said: "One of the things that is apparent this evening is how many people here tonight are still working towards Sing Up's vision – namely that regular, high quality singing improves social and learning outcomes for our children and young people. And it's that vision which was the foundation stone for Sing Up in 2007 and remains absolutely core to what we do now." 

 

Sing Up began as a government funded programme to reinstate singing in primary schools in 2007. It was a very successful programme, reaching 98% of primary schools by 2012

 

We'll have some news in next month's Connect about Sing Up Day 2018!

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBERS NOMINATED FOR BETT AWARDS

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Congratulations to all of the COBIS Supporting Members who have been named as finalists for the coveted BETT Awards. The winners will be announced on 24 January 2018. Best of luck to all! 

 

Innovator of the Year

SAM Labs

 

Early Years Content

Early Excellence Ltd – Early Excellence Assessment Tracker (EExAT)

 

Primary Content

2Simple Ltd – Purple Mash

Oxford University Press – Numicon Interactive Whiteboard Software

TTS Group Ltd – StoryTime Phonics

 

Secondary Content

3P Learning – Mathletics

Blue Duck Education Ltd – Mangahigh.com

Boardworks Ltd – Doddle

Collins – Collins Bettermarks

GCSEPod – GCSEPod

Tes Institute – Subject Knowledge Enhancement: English

 

Whole School Aids for Learning, Teaching and Assessment

2Simple – 2Build a Profile

Satchel – Show My Homework

School Explained – Learning Ladders

 

Classroom Aids for Learning, Teaching and Assessment

Pobble – Pobble

 

Digital Devices

Scanning Pens Ltd – C-Pen Exam Reader

SMART Technologies – SMART Board 7000 series interactive display with iQ

 

Leadership and Management solutions

Capita SIMS – SIMS SchoolView

Educater – Educater STATonline

The Key Support Services Limited – Compliance Tracker from The Key

 

Exporter of the Year

Frog Education

GL Education

Scanning Pens Ltd

Titus Learning

WCBS

 

Company of the Year (over £3m turnover)

Frog Education

Impero Software

 

Free Digital Content or Open Educational Resources

Frog Education – National Theatre: On Demand

 

International Digital Education Resource

3P Learning – New Mathletics

Texthelp – Read&Write

 

Best Education Support Resource for Parents or Home Learning

Satchel – Show My Homework

 

DIT SURVEY WILL HELP BRIEF MINISTERS ON CHALLENGES EXPORTING ABROAD

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Our colleagues at the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) have asked us to share an important survey aimed at companies and organisations who export overseas.

 

It will help them to brief ministers on the challenges your company faces in exporting abroad. Please consider adding your voice:

November 2017

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COBIS CPD AND EVENTS 2017/18

 

Autumn Term

 
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COBIS Four-Day Middle Leaders' Course
Kuala Lumpur
16-19 November 2017

 

Spring Term

 
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COBIS Personalised Learning Conference
Amsterdam
4-5 January 2018

 
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COBIS Conference for Bursars, Business Managers and HR Staff
Dubai
1-2 February 2018

 
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COBIS Four-Day Middle Leaders' Course
Nairobi
5-8 February 2018

 
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COBIS Conference for Marketing, Development and Admissions Staff
Bucharest
15-16 March 2018

 

Summer Term

 
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37th COBIS Annual Conference
London
12-14 May 2018
 

 
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Regional Training Days
Hong Kong
28 and 29 May 2018

 

 
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Advanced Training for Designated Safeguarding Leads
Hong Kong

29 May 2018

 
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STUDENT EVENTS CALENDAR 2017/18

 

Autumn Term

 
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COBIS/Mangahigh Maths Challenge
Online
20 November - 3 December 2017

 

Spring Term

 
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COBIS Student World Debate Competition
Dubai
1-3 February 2018

 
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COBIS Poetry Competition
Online
Closes 9 February 2018

 
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COBIS Primary Creative Challenge
Online
Closes March 2018

 
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COBIS Model UN Conference
Bucharest
22-25 March 2018

 
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COBIS/Future Foundations Global Social Leaders Competition
Online
Closes March 2018

 
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COBIS Art Competition
Online
Closes 28 March 2018

 
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COBIS Young Scientist Film Awards
Online
Closes 28 March 2018

 

Summer Term

 
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COBIS Student Achievement Awards
Online
Closes 18 April 2018

 
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COBIS Secondary Games
Sheffield
18-22 May 2018

 
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COBIS Senior School Music Festival
Madrid
June 2018

 
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COBIS SERVICES FOR SCHOOLS

 
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COBIS Disclosure and Barring Service

Helping your school to recruit safely

 

Contact dbs@cobis.org.uk for more information

 
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COBIS Consultancy Service

Offering support to schools, commercial organisations and private investors globally.

 

COBIS Diplomas for International Teaching Assistants

Giving International Teaching Assistants the knowledge, skills and understanding to work effectively alongside teachers whilst maximising learning opportunities for children.

 

Online Safeguarding Training for International Schools

Child Protection for International Schools and Safer Recruitment for International Schools have been designed by leading child protection experts with input from safeguarding leads in international schools.

 
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NEW SUPPORTING MEMBERS

 
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Bishop Sports & Leisure Ltd

School Facilities Management and School Furniture/Equipment

 
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Bourton Meadow Initial Teacher Training Centre

Assessment and Qualifications

 
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Get My Grades Ltd

Curriculum Resources and Publishers

 
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Qualified Education Ltd

Assessment and Qualifications

 
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Schrole Connect

Assessment and Qualifications

 
 
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The Outward Bound Trust

Assessment and Qualifications

 

SUBMISSIONS

We welcome submissions from both schools and supporting members for the COBIS newsletter, Connect.

 

Please read our editorial guidelines before making your submission. 

 

All submissions for the December Connect should be sent to: events@cobis.org.uk
by 3 December 2017.

 
 

CONTACT US

If you have any comments or requests, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.

By Telephone: +44 20 3826 7190

COBIS Head Office, 55-56 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 4HP, UK

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Compiled and produced by Jamie Ralph, Communications Officer

 

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