As shared earlier this week through our social media channels, The Grange School has been recognised as an Accredited Member (BSO) of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), becoming the first school in Chile to join this prestigious global network.
This is a highly significant milestone for our community. It not only recognises the strength of our educational project, but also opens new opportunities for our pupils, families and staff. It marks an important moment in the history of the School and positions The Grange School within a global context of educational excellence.
COBIS: a history of development and international standards
To fully appreciate the importance of this recognition, it is helpful to understand what COBIS is and how it has evolved.
The organisation was founded in 1981 under the name Council of British Independent Schools in the European Communities (COBISEC), to bring together British schools in Europe seeking to ensure high educational standards beyond the United Kingdom. In its early years, it was a relatively small network of schools united by a shared commitment to maintaining the quality and reputation of British education internationally.
Over time, COBIS expanded beyond Europe and became a truly global organisation. In 2007, it adopted its current name to reflect this broader scope. Today, it represents more than 400 schools across over 80 countries, connecting educators and students worldwide.
At the heart of COBIS lies a clear mission: to support and empower British international schools in delivering high-quality education, and to connect school communities worldwide in developing students who will have a positive impact on society.
This mission is brought to life through quality assurance, professional development, global collaboration and opportunities for both students and educators, reinforcing a shared commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
A key milestone in its development was the introduction of the British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection framework in 2010, recognised by the UK Department for Education. This framework enables international schools to be evaluated against standards comparable to those applied within the United Kingdom.
To know more about COBIS history, you can click here.
A milestone for Chile and for our community
The Grange School’s incorporation into COBIS is particularly significant, as it is the first school in Chile to achieve this recognition and one of the few schools in South America to be part of this global network.
This milestone not only positions the School as a national reference in international education but also highlights its place within a select group of institutions across the region that meet rigorous British international standards. It reflects the sustained effort, vision and commitment of our entire community over time.
More than an institutional achievement, this recognition represents an external validation of the quality of our educational project, our culture of continuous improvement, and our commitment to the holistic development of our pupils in a global context.
In the words of our Headteacher, Mrs Kate Ingamells-Bland:
“As a school with a proud and longstanding heritage, we are delighted to join the COBIS community and look forward to collaborating with schools around the world in developing well-rounded young people.”
What it means to be an Accredited Member (BSO)
Achieving Accredited Member (BSO) status means that The Grange School has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and meets demanding standards aligned with the British education system.
This recognition confirms that the School:
- Meets high international standards of educational quality
- Has been evaluated under a formal inspection framework recognised by the UK Department for Education
- Is part of a global network committed to excellence and holistic education
Beyond these elements, it represents a strong endorsement of the School’s educational vision and its ability to prepare pupils for an increasingly global world.
Opportunities for pupils, Staff and families
Becoming part of COBIS marks the beginning of a new stage for our community, opening the door to a wide range of meaningful opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and enrich the educational experience at every level.
For pupils, membership of COBIS provides access to a truly international learning environment. This includes participation in global competitions, academic and co-curricular events, and initiatives such as Model United Nations, leadership programmes and collaborative projects with students from other countries. These experiences not only broaden horizons, but also foster key skills such as critical thinking, communication, adaptability and global awareness, preparing pupils to engage confidently in an interconnected world.
For staff, joining the COBIS network represents a significant opportunity for professional growth. Teachers and leaders gain access to high-quality continuing professional development (CPD), specialised training programmes and international conferences. In addition, the network enables ongoing collaboration with peers from leading schools worldwide, facilitating the exchange of ideas, best practices, and innovation in teaching and learning. This contributes directly to strengthening classroom practice and enhancing the overall educational experience of our pupils.
For families, this recognition provides an additional layer of confidence and reassurance. Being part of COBIS means that the School operates within a framework of internationally recognised standards, with a strong emphasis on quality, safeguarding and continuous improvement. At the same time, families benefit from increased access to guidance, resources and connections within the global education landscape, including pathways and insights related to international higher education.
In this way, COBIS membership not only enriches individual experiences but also strengthens the School as a whole, reinforcing its role as a learning community that is both locally grounded and globally connected.
Services and support within a global network
COBIS is not only a network of schools, but a structured support system designed to strengthen educational quality, leadership and governance across its global community.
Through its membership, schools benefit from robust accreditation and compliance frameworks that provide external validation and support continuous improvement. These processes ensure that schools operate in line with internationally recognised standards and remain accountable to high levels of quality and performance.
Beyond accreditation, COBIS plays an important role in representing its member schools at an international level, working closely with educational authorities and organisations to advocate for the interests of British international education.
The organisation also provides a platform for strategic collaboration between schools, enabling leaders to engage in dialogue, share insights and collectively address the challenges of an evolving global educational landscape.
In addition, COBIS supports schools in maintaining strong safeguarding and governance practices, offering guidance and frameworks that contribute to safe, well-managed and forward-looking school environments.
Taken together, these elements form a coherent system of support that enables schools not only to uphold high standards but to sustain long-term development within an increasingly interconnected world.
A community aligned with our values
Membership of COBIS means joining a global community that shares core principles such as academic excellence, holistic education, collaboration and the development of young people who can make a positive impact on society. These principles align closely with the Grangonian Profile and the pillars that guide life at the School – Academics, Arts, Sports and Service – reinforcing an educational approach that values both achievement and character.
Through the opportunities provided by COBIS, this alignment is further strengthened, supporting the development of well-rounded pupils by fostering international collaboration, leadership, creativity and a strong sense of global citizenship. In this way, the School continues to nurture individuals who are not only academically strong, but also socially responsible, culturally aware and prepared to make a meaningful contribution to the world.
Looking ahead
The Grange School’s incorporation into COBIS is both a recognition of what has been achieved and a projection of what lies ahead.
It represents an opportunity to continue strengthening our educational project, expanding our horizons and reinforcing an approach that combines tradition, excellence and a global outlook.
This milestone marks a new chapter in the School’s history and reaffirms our commitment to providing a high-quality education that is both internationally connected and centred on the holistic development of each pupil.
