COBIS

ISS Becomes the First COBIS Accredited School in Seychelles

International School Seychelles (ISS) proudly announces its achievement of Accredited Member status with the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). This landmark accomplishment, achieved during the school’s 55th anniversary year, places ISS—and Seychelles—on the global educational map as a leader in academic excellence and international standards.

A Vision Realised

Five years ago, the ISS Board of Governors launched a strategic development plan to elevate the school’s standards and reputation through international accreditation. After careful consideration, the Board selected COBIS, a globally respected network representing over 450 schools, to guide ISS in achieving this prestigious recognition.

“This accreditation represents the culmination of years of vision, dedication, and collaboration,” shared Ms. Priscille Chetty, Chairperson of the ISS Board of Governors. “It is a proud moment for our school and for Seychelles, demonstrating our commitment to delivering world-class education.”

The COBIS Accreditation Journey

The accreditation process involved months of preparation and culminated in an intensive evaluation from October 14 to 17, 2024. A team of COBIS accreditors, led by the award-winning Joanna Povall (TES International Headteacher of the Year, 2024), assessed ISS against COBIS’s comprehensive standards. The evaluation included over 60 lesson observations, interviews with stakeholders, and reviews of policies, safeguarding practices, and facilities.

The accreditors included Ms Povall, a seasoned educational leader and Principal in Abu Dhabi on her 16th COBIS accreditation visit.  She was joined by Mr Andrew Jenkins, an Associate Principal at a leading international school in Dubai; Mr Thomas Rolt, a Head of Secondary with expertise in educational management and technology integration; and Ms Ros Andrewartha, a specialist in primary education with international and deputy headship experience.

ISS emerged with flying colours, meeting and exceeding COBIS’s rigorous criteria.

Commendations for Excellence

COBIS highlighted several strengths of ISS through formal commendations, including:

1. Safer Recruitment Practices: Recognized for the school’s robust and transparent processes.
2. Safeguarding Training and Procedures: Praised for comprehensive and impactful safeguarding measures across the school.
3. Positive Behaviour Management: Acknowledged for fostering exemplary student behavior through a culture of respect and positivity.
4. Inclusivity: Celebrated for its inclusive policy and the dedicated support provided to students and families by the inclusion department.
5. Governance: Commended for the Board of Governors’ strong commitment to safeguarding.
6. Student Belonging: Applauded for the sense of pride and belonging students feel at ISS, creating a supportive and welcoming environment.
7. Rigorous Safeguarding Practices: Recognized for embedding safeguarding processes into the school culture, positively impacting the well-being of students.
8. Environmental Awareness: Honored for raising awareness of environmental issues and engaging the entire school community in meaningful sustainability initiatives.

Highlights

COBIS highlighted additional strengths of ISS, exemplified by these quotes:

1. “The school places emphasis on nurturing the whole child, with a priority on student well-being guiding every decision. This philosophy permeates all areas of school life, underscoring a commitment developing life skills, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility.”
2. “A highly effective operations manager oversees all aspects of security and safety. All contractors must present identification and demonstrate compliance with safeguarding and health and safety standards, in line with UK requirements.”
3. “The school has developed comprehensive written procedures and protocols that clearly outline the scope of work within its governance policy. These well-defined frameworks establish specific tasks and duties for the board, ensuring clarity and efficiency in its operations. Additionally, the protocols distinctly allocate responsibilities between the board and the school leadership team, developing a strong collaborative relationship.”
4. “The school’s ethos and communal spirit are deeply ingrained in its holistic educational approach. Students, staff, and parents alike express that students eagerly attend school, viewing it as a nurturing environment for learning and personal development.”
5. “The Year 1 and 2 reading curriculum, and the way it is delivered, is an example of best practice that enables accelerated learning of reading for children to access the full curriculum and to be ready for the next phase. The use of teachers and teaching assistants to deliver this is an innovative use of skilled staff to deliver the reading curriculum in small ability groups.”
6. “There were highly dynamic lessons observed in which students were engaged and learning took place at a pleasing pace.”
7. “The school recognises that it has been developing the culture of learning in recent years which was evident in the observations. Staff talk confidently and openly about working with one another to explore how teaching can impact learning and are helpful to one another in offering guidance and support, while caring for their colleagues in a way which creates a culture of checking in with people.”
8. “In terms of staff well-being, the school organises a range of events throughout the year aimed at fostering a sense of community and belonging among its stakeholders. Examples include staff social events and public recognition initiatives, such as the ‘Employee of the Year’ award. Leaders across the school expressed feeling well-supported by their line managers and appreciate the open-door policy offered by senior leadership.”

Overall Observations

The summary of COBIS observations was very positive for ISS:

“The school offers a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum, providing students with access to a broad range of academic subjects. This is further enhanced by a diverse range of excursions and extracurricular activities, supporting the school’s aims for the holistic development of their students. While deeply rooted in the local culture, the school upholds a British ethos and promotes British educational values, ensuring a balanced blend of global perspectives and traditions.

The school is committed to developing both the academic success and pastoral well-being of the students. Students exhibit excellent behaviour, a strong eagerness to learn, and a dedication to their overall development. Parents appreciate the school’s efforts, feeling confident that their children are nurtured and well-supported in all aspects of their education. The whole school community develops a well-earned sense of pride amongst students. Through these efforts, it has created a positive learning environment where mutual respect can be seen between students and teachers, reinforcing a culture of collaboration and achievement.

In recent years, under the dynamic leadership of a highly effective Executive Headteacher, the school has made several substantial improvements. The Executive Headteacher, positioned at the heart of the school, possesses a clear and shared vision for its future direction. Her efforts are complemented by dedicated staff and teachers, the senior leadership team and a team of highly committed and professional governors who possess a clear understanding of their roles. Both the school and its governing board acknowledge that the school remains on an ongoing journey of improvement, committed to further enhancing its standards and overall educational offering.

The entire school community’s commitment to ongoing improvement will empower the school to maintain its high standards and realise its goals for the future. Only through this shared commitment can an atmosphere of growth and excellence be established, inspiring both students and staff continually to pursue their full potential. The school is already on this path and will undoubtedly continue to grow and realise its aspirations for the future.”

Leadership Reflections

Mrs. Elodie Vallantine, Executive Head of ISS, shared:
“Achieving COBIS accreditation is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our entire school community. It challenges us to strive for continuous improvement and reinforces our commitment to providing the best for our students. This is not just an achievement for ISS but a celebration for Seychelles as we pave the way for educational excellence in the region.”

Benefits of COBIS Accreditation

COBIS accreditation signifies more than recognition; it offers ISS access to a wealth of resources, including professional development opportunities for staff, international student competitions, and collaborations with leading schools worldwide. It enhances the school’s reputation, attracts high-calibre educators, and creates valuable links to universities and career pathways for students.

A Legacy for Seychelles

ISS is now the first school in Seychelles to gain COBIS accreditation, setting a benchmark for educational excellence and innovation in the country.

“This milestone marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to improvement,” added Ms. Chetty. “We will continue to build on this success, ensuring that ISS remains at the forefront of international education for years to come.”

A Moment of Pride

The entire ISS community—staff, students, parents, and the Board—is encouraged to take pride in this remarkable achievement, which positions Seychelles as a beacon of educational excellence on the global stage.