Tuesday 12 May 2020, 1pm (BST) – COBIS 2020 Update and the challenges and opportunities for the international schools market as a result of coronavirus, Colin Bell, CEO and Trevor Rowell, Chairman, COBIS and Will Bedford, Senior Manager, Schools Division, ISC Research

Hear an update on some of the work of COBIS over the past year, including announcements about successfully accredited schools, COBIS Training Schools, and the 2020 COBIS Supporting Member of the Year. Colin and Trevor will also share details about how we are responding to the current challenges, and our plans for continued support for our members and the British international schools sector.

For the second part of the presentation, Colin will be joined by Will Bedford, Senior Manager of the Schools Division at ISC Research. International schools are increasingly defining themselves and responding to market challenges and opportunities. This is particularly so as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Will Bedford will share latest intelligence and data on the international schools market including the impact from coronavirus.

Wednesday 13 May 2020, 1pm (BST) – Celebrating COBIS Students, Alisa Sacofsky, Student Engagement Officer, COBIS

A round-up of COBIS Student Engagement activities from 2019/20 including the announcement of the Eco Film Awards and Coding Challenge winners. More than 26,000 students took part in our student events in 2019/20. Join us for this session to learn more about how students in COBIS Schools can engage with the wider community.

Thursday 14 May 2020, 1pm (BST) - Leading in a Climate of Change: Building a Shared Vision for Your School, Jeni Dellman, Head of Primary School, British School Muscat

This session will provide an overview of the leadership journey of a newly promoted headteacher at British School Muscat, from the lessons learnt during the COBIS Programme for Aspiring Heads to the first actions intended to build a culture of trust through transparency and shared ownership. How can you build a voice for yourself during your first 100 days in post? How can you ensure everyone has a voice and that all opinions are valued? How can CPAH prepare you for headship? Jeni Dellman will reflect on the challenges and opportunities faced during her first year in headship; leading a workshop focused on creating a shared vision across the school.

Jeni Dellman is Head of Primary at British School Muscat. An experienced practitioner with over 20 years of international teaching experience, Jeni has worked at schools in the UK, Egypt, Thailand and Jordan. As part of her journey to headship, Jeni has held subject and year leader roles as well as being an assistant Boarding House Mistress during her time at Harrow Bangkok. While working as a year leader at BSM, Jeni completed the CPML. After her promotion to Assistant Head she then took part in the inaugural CPAH sessions which she credits with being instrumental in developing an increased interest in the theory and practice of headship.

Monday 18 May 2020, 1pm (BST)- The COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance Process: A Differentitated Approach to External Validation, COBIS Accreditation Team

Here at COBIS, we appreciate and recognise that every school is different and sits in its own particular context. Our approach is supportive, non-judgemental and takes full account of each school’s circumstances and its stage of development, whilst remaining firmly rooted in high, unimpeachable standards drawn from best international practice.

To date, at the end of our third year of operation, around 150 schools in more than 50 countries will have engaged with the COBIS Patron’s Accreditation and Compliance scheme. Our Accreditation Team of Sharon Gallagher, Janette Quinn and Gary Minnitt will talk about the nature of the process and how it is rooted in school development; about the central role of the Lead Improvement Partner and the importance of each professional relationship; and how our system is continually evolving.

This session is especially intended for schools who have booked a visit from September 2020 onwards, or who are interested in learning more about our approach to external validation and to supporting school development.

Tuesday 19 May 2020, 1pm (BST) - For Supporting Members/Exhibitors - Building Engagement: Perspectives on Successful Relationships with COBIS Member Schools, COBIS Membership and Communications Teams

Now more than ever it is important to approach schools in the right way about your product or service. This webinar, aimed at COBIS Supporting Members, includes speakers from member schools, Supporting Member organisations and the COBIS Head Office team. They will provide different perspectives on the dos and don’ts of building successful relationships with schools.

Monday 1 June 2020, 1pm (BST)- How Teachers Can Tackle Climate Change, Angus MacKay, Director, Division for Planet, and Manager, Green Development and Climate Change, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

In this session, Angus MacKay (UNITAR) will reflect on how the classroom is becoming the new frontline in tackling climate change with the potential to transform the course of human development, over the course of one or perhaps two generations. What needs to happen now if this potential is to be fulfilled? The current crisis is stimulating a lot more ideas about how the virtual world can help. Although there are 90 million teachers worldwide, not all have equal access.

Angus Mackay is the Director of UNITAR’s Division for Planet with responsibility for aligning all the environmental activities of the Institute with Agenda 2030. Skills development is a strategic issue that underpins the effectiveness of all national policies, plans and programmes that aim to address pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, chemicals and waste management, biodiversity conservation and the transition towards circular economy. UNITAR undertakes skills assessments to help countries better understand their learning needs and develop national learning strategies supporting inclusive, safe and environmentally sustainable development.  Angus Mackay is a climate change adaptation specialist and lead trainer, and has previously worked for a range of international organisations including the UN Department for Peace Keeping Operations, United Nations Development Programme, UK Department for International Development, World Bank, as well as private sector environmental consulting firms. 

Thursday 4 June 2020, 1pm (BST) - A New Approach: Launching a Curriculum for Tomorrow, Paul Seedhouse, BSF Academic Director, British Schools Foundation

Inspired by previous COBIS Headteacher Conferences and a belief that we can do much more for our pupils, BSF embarked on a new curriculum project in January 2018.  Since then, we have prepared and begun to launch a revised curriculum approach for our schools that places much greater emphasis on the personal development of pupils. Specifically, we are committed to providing young people with the opportunity to take greater control of their educational experience and develop the skills that they may require as adults in the future.  We thought that it may be of interest to share our story so far in the hope that it may inspire the desire to try something new!

Paul has worked as the Academic Director of The British Schools Foundation since July 2015. Prior to that, he was the Headmaster of The International School of Moscow (2010- 2015) and The British School of Guangzhou (2005-2009). He has worked in international schools on 5 continents since 1998.

Monday 8 June 2020, 1pm (BST)  - Making School-Based Teacher Training Work for You, Emma Hollis, Executive Director, National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT)

An exploration into the potential benefits of ‘growing your own’ teachers through involvement in initial teacher training. We will consider the options available to the international schools sector, the implications of involvement in ITT and the potential benefits to your school and wider communities. The Executive Director of NASBTT, Emma Hollis, will be on hand to answer individual questions about ITT, whether you are simply dipping your toes in the water or seeking to expand your involvement in training new entrants to the profession.

Emma Hollis is Executive Director of NASBTT, which promotes high-quality schools-led programmes of training, education and professional development of teachers.  Emma was appointed in 2017 having previously been a Trustee at NASBTT for 18 months.  She was also formerly Head of a Teaching School Alliance and ran a SCITT.

Tuesday 9 June 2020, 1pm (BST) - For Supporting Members/Exhibitors - The Latest 'Need-to-Know' Data and Intelligence on the International Schools Market, Diane Glass, Commercial Director, ISC Research

ISC Research Commercial Director, Diane Glass will share latest data for the 2019-2020 year including updates from the ISC Research field-based team on the implications and opportunities for education suppliers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Thursday 11 June 2020, 1pm (BST) - The Changing Face of Leadership: Strengthening your Team Through Diversity, Claire Nuttall, Headteacher (Primary) Vice Principal, St George's International School, Luxembourg

Why is it important to include people of all gender, background and heritage on our staff and governing body at all levels? Surveys show that the benefits of workplace diversity include: greater innovation; variety of different perspectives; better decision making; increased creativity; higher employee engagement; better company reputation. Your staff body should echo your community. If only one or two groups are represented, it reflects a bias to children and families. By reflecting all of our community in our staff and governing body, we are showing our families that we value them, and we are presenting positive role models for the students in our care. Positive representation is a key factor for student wellbeing, allowing our groups to feel included and valued. This workshop will explore practical ways to encourage and enhance diversity within your establishment.

Claire has been in school leadership for almost 20 years, currently in her sixth year as Primary Headteacher in Luxembourg. During this time, she has led the primary through two successful ISI inspections, and enjoyed being one of the pilot schools for the COBIS Patron's Accreditation. As an international child, attending schools in Jordan and Hong Kong, Claire enjoys being part of an international community and thoroughly enjoys working and learning with internationally minded professionals. She believes that a quality education places the child at the heart of education. Previously a Headteacher in London, Claire's school was nominated as one of the most improved schools in England, and was consistently commended for high pupil progress results. She was on the steering group for a large teaching school alliance and participated in supporting school improvement projects across the borough. Claire also enjoys working with the BSNILA as facilitator for the iNPQSL and as peer accreditor with COBIS. Claire is also a lead for #WomenEd in Luxembourg and Belgium.