COBIS Conference Champions Safeguarding and Purpose-Driven Education

By Advay May 18, 2025
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The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) Annual Conference, held in London this week, placed safeguarding and social purpose at the heart of international education. A significant highlight of the event was the official launch of the BISSC Safer Recruitment Code of Conduct, a landmark framework designed to strengthen safeguarding practices across British international schools worldwide.

Unveiled by Emily Konstantas, Chair of the British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC) and CEO of The Safeguarding Alliance, the new code sets a global benchmark for ethical and transparent recruitment in education. It will apply to all member schools of BISSC’s founding organisations.

“This framework has the power to transform how schools approach recruitment and protection,” a BISSC spokesperson said, with full implementation expected from September. The code aims to better protect vulnerable individuals in education and encourage schools to reflect on and elevate their safeguarding practices.

This year’s COBIS conference ran under the theme ‘Passion with Purpose’, attracting school leaders, education experts, and students from around the globe, including countries such as Nigeria and India. The event explored key topics including leadership, wellbeing, innovation, and the future of education through panels, keynotes, and student-led sessions.

COBIS CEO Colin Bell praised the conference, calling it “a profound reminder of why we do what we do.” He highlighted the importance of student panels, featuring young voices from countries including Myanmar, Venezuela, and Romania, who offered valuable insights into their educational journeys.

Another standout session was led by journalist Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop of the Brookings Institution. They introduced a new student engagement framework from their book The Disengaged Teen, helping educators better understand learners through four key personas: Passenger, Achiever, Resister, and Explorer.

Bell closed the conference by emphasising the importance of purpose in education. “Great education goes beyond academics – it empowers students to shape a better world,” he said.

As the UK continues to lead in global education standards, the COBIS conference reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding, student voice, and meaningful learning experiences.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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