FAQs - FOBISIA

Listed below are dedicated FAQs for all things FOBISIA. If you do have any further questions, do get in touch with a member of the FOBISIA HQ team

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General FAQs

1. What is FOBISIA?

FOBISIA is a registered society in Singapore with its HQ located in Thailand. It is a not-for-profit Federation of British international schools in Asia. FOBISIA is the premier Federation in Asia supporting and promoting high-quality British-style international education.

2. How is FOBISIA governed?

FOBISIA’s governance is defined by its constitution and by-laws.

3. What is FOBISIA’s Mission?

It is FOBISIA’s Mission to deliver value for its members by ensuring high quality British-style international education through shared professional development, student enrichment, and mutual support between Member Schools in the region.

With more than 30 years of shared history, the FOBISIA Family is a diverse and inclusive community of global citizens. As a growing Federation, FOBISIA prides itself on the provision of quality Britishstyle international education while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. All Member Schools are either accredited or working towards accreditation with leading institutions. FOBISIA is more than a group of schools; it is about what members can bring to the Federation and the way they work together that makes it unique. FOBISIA Member Schools are all committed to bringing value, maintaining standards and living the ethos of the Federation for the benefit of all.

4. What are the benefits of FOBISIA Membership?

Membership of FOBISIA provides a forum for discussion, networking, sharing information and best practice, and for engaging with leading educational thinkers and practitioners from around the world. It provides opportunities to participate in continuing professional development and student enrichment activities across a range of learning areas. FOBISIA provides opportunities for peer-to-peer collaboration and support at every level. The Federation is also an essential source of guidance in the areas of leadership, quality assurance, safeguarding and recruitment, and provides opportunities for representation among its neighbours beyond Asia and in the UK.

5. What types of membership does FOBISIA have?

There are five categories of FOBISIA Membership. Affiliate Membership is also offered to education organisations of interest to Member Schools. As well as Full and Associate Membership for Member Schools depending on whether they are accredited, the Federation offers Individual Membership to former Heads of Member Schools in order to retain the invaluable institutional knowledge that exists among our dynamic network of school leaders in and beyond the region. Our newest category of membership is Friends of FOBISIA, enabling connections with independent and other schools in the UK, as well as British International Schools beyond Asia.

6. What are the strengths of the Federation?

Although FOBISIA has grown and developed as a Federation over a 30-year period, it remains an inclusive and welcoming community that is much respected across Asia, and beyond. FOBISIA’s strengths are a commitment to providing value for our members and being a community that “cares and shares” where the access schools and supporting organisations have to a vast network promotes collaboration and cooperation.

7. How many members does FOBISIA have and where are they located?

FOBISIA has over 100 Member Schools across 20 countries and regions within Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, P.R.China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Uzbekistan. FOBISIA currently has over 150 Affiliate Members located across the globe, but mainly in the UK.

8. What are the expectations on becoming a FOBISIA Member?

Upon becoming a member of FOBISIA, members are expected to maintain their quality standards and adhere to FOBISIA Codes of Conduct. FOBISIA closely monitors compliance to ensure that members are able to remain in the Federation and continue to play an active role in achieving its mission. It is not only what FOBISIA can bring to its members, but it is also as much about what its members can bring to FOBISIA. The Federation promotes and encourages a culture of sharing.

9. What is the process for applying to join FOBISIA?

Schools, educational organisations and individuals interested in joining FOBISIA can request a Membership Pack and submit a Membership Application. FOBISIA’s Membership Committee ultimately decides if a school, educational organisation or individual meets the criteria for membership. Once new members are admitted to the Federation, they are inducted into the FOBISIA Family and notified of their benefits.

10. What does it cost to become a member of FOBISIA?

All of FOBISIA’s annual membership cycles run from 1 September to 31 August (considered a school year), and billing for School and Affiliate Membership is completed in advance of the school year. Individual Membership does not come with a fee.

School Membership Fees are reviewed annually by the Federation. FOBISIA’s Fee Schedule includes two components, an annual subscription fee and an enrolment fee. The enrolment fee is determined by the number of students enrolled in the school. The applicable Fee Schedule is included in the School Membership Pack.

Affiliate Membership Fees are reviewed annually by the Federation. FOBISIA’s current fee for Affiliate Membership is SGD 630.

Affiliate Membership FAQs

1. Why consider joining FOBISIA?

FOBISIA is the premier Federation of British international schools in Asia, with an extensive reach across 20 countries and regions, encompassing over 100 Member Schools, and boasts a global presence with 150+ Affiliate Members.

We are a diverse and inclusive community offering peer-to-peer support and extensive networking and collaboration opportunities to our members. Our core business is focused on continuing professional development, student enrichment, quality assurance, safeguarding, and representation among our counterparts and in the UK Government.

2. Benefits of Affiliate Membership:

Use of the Affiliate Member Badge for display on websites, and other marketing materials to promote your Membership
Opportunity to post news/offers/information to the FOBISIA Affiliate Member News Feed, on the FOBISIA website
Listing in THE FOBISIAN eMagazine, Membership Handbook & Directory, and on the FOBISIA website
Priority registration for the Annual FOBISIA Leadership Conference with Sponsorship opportunities and discounted Exhibitor rates
Opportunities to participate in other FOBISIA Conferences including the CPD, Safeguarding, PE & Sport, Business & Operations, and Bi-ennial Teaching Community Conferences
Opportunity to submit a webinar proposal to be considered as part of the termly Webinar Series (depending on when you join)
A FOBISIA Affiliate Membership e-Certificate

3. Expectations for Affiliate Members:

Upon joining the FOBISIA community, Affiliate Members are required to uphold professional quality standards and adhere to the FOBISIA Code of Conduct. Affiliates must ensure they are available to accommodate services in Asian time zones.

4. Facilitating networking with schools:

We greatly value our Affiliate Members and strive to support their connections with Member Schools through the membership benefits, including invitations to conferences.

Taking the initiative to foster collaboration and build relationships with Member Schools will greatly benefit you by creating stronger ties and opening up opportunities for meaningful partnerships. Your proactive engagement in these efforts is highly valued and appreciated

5. Application and approval process:

Interested organisations must submit a comprehensive application, complete with references and a signed Code of Conduct. The review process by FOBISIA’s Membership Committee ensures that admitted organisations bring substantial value to Member Schools.

6. Prerequisites for affiliation:

Prior collaboration with FOBISIA Member Schools or experience with other schools is required and references will be sought from those schools.

7. Affiliate Membership fees and term schedules:

FOBISIA’s annual fee for Affiliate membership is currently set at SGD 630. The membership period spans from 1 September to 31 August, aligning with the academic year. Fees and benefits are prorated for new Members.

Affiliate members who choose not to renew their membership at the start of FOBISIA’s fiscal (academic) year will only be permitted to rejoin at the beginning of the following fiscal year. Affiliates whose membership has lapsed more than a year will be required to go through the application process.

We follow a termly schedule similar to international schools, with three terms:
Term 1: August - December
Term 2: January - March
Term 3 (Summer Term): April - June
FOBISIA HQ along with the majority of our schools, are closed throughout July.

8. Eligible organisations for Affiliate Membership:

FOBISIA’s Affiliate Members are a diverse array of organisations, including those offering Consultancy & Management Services, Teaching & Learning Resources, Recruitment Services, School Activities, School Suppliers, Professional Development & Coaching, IT Services, Software & Systems, Inspectorates & Accreditation Services, and Financial Services.

For additional details or clarifications on any inquiries, do not hesitate to reach out to FOBISIA, as we remain dedicated to assisting our Affiliate Members in fostering strong connections with our Member Schools.

9. Can you explain more about the benefits of Affiliate Membership?

FOBISIA Affiliate Membership Badge for Marketing Purposes
The Membership Badge is a version of our logo that includes 'FOBISIA Affiliate Member' and can be used by members. You are welcome to use this badge to promote your membership in your marketing materials, including your website. However, please note that it should not be used to imply that FOBISIA endorses your organisation, events, or services, or that we are in any partnership with you.
Opportunity to Post on the Affiliate Member News Feed
You can post news and updates on our Affiliate Member News Feed on the FOBISIA website. This is a great opportunity to share information, offers, or news relevant to our schools. You can post up to 2 posts per term/per Member; please give us at least 3 days notice for this. Ensure your content is relevant and interesting for our schools, such as news, new products, or special offers, new research articles etc
Opportunity to Submit a Webinar Proposal*
Our Webinar Series runs throughout the academic year, excluding school holidays. Each May*, we invite all School and Affiliate Members to submit proposals for webinars to be considered for the upcoming academic year.
We encourage proposals that are relevant, engaging, and clearly specify the intended target audience via the registration form. Webinars are selected based on a range of criteria, with input from our committee. Sessions that offer practical learning and actionable insights generally attract higher participation than those focused on promoting a single product or service.

Each webinar is typically 45 minutes long and may draw between 20 and 100 attendees, depending on the topic. Hosting a webinar is a valued opportunity; however, due to high demand, we regret that we cannot guarantee a slot for every proposal during the Membership year.

*Please note that for the 2026/27 Membership year, this benefit subject to change due to a new Membership benefit structure. Further details will be shared soon.
A listing of the FOBISIA Membership Directory
These are the publications that are sent to all Member Schools each year. We have all the necessary details from your application. If we require any further information, we will reach out to you.
A listing on the FOBISIA website
Your company will be featured on our website under the relevant category. We ask that you provide an overview of your company, highlighting what it offers to our Member Schools, along with links for contact. Additionally, please include a list of any Member Schools you are currently working with, if applicable.

10. Attendance at FOBISIA Conferences:

Existing Affiliate Members are given priority to attend as Exhibitors or Sponsors, but spaces are subject to availability. Due to limited space, membership does not guarantee a spot, as allocation is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a waiting list in place if we are full. Additional fees are required to attend or exhibit at conferences, with various exhibitor and sponsorship options available, depending on the event. There is also an opportunity to submit proposals to hold workshops at conferences like the Leadership Conference. Proposals are reviewed by HQ and a representative panel, and this opportunity is open to both school delegates and exhibitors. However, no guarantees can be made for speaking slots, and you must be registered for the conference before your proposal will be considered.

11. Are there other ways to get involved?

We always welcome new ideas and initiatives that support our Member Schools through incentives, offers, and courses, and we will help to promote if feasible. We hope to help you maximise the value of your membership wherever possible.

While we regularly guide our schools toward our Affiliate Members and are happy to recommend you when asked, the responsibility for reaching out and building connections ultimately rests with you. As much as we’d love to facilitate direct introductions for all our Affiliate Members, this isn’t feasible given the scale of our community.

Individual Membership FAQs

1. Who can apply for Individual Membership of FOBISIA?

Individual Membership of FOBISIA is open to former Heads of FOBISIA Member Schools.

There are two subcategories of Individual Membership which are Ordinary Individual Membership and Honorary Membership. Honorary Membership aims to recognise former Chairs of the FOBISIA Board for their leadership over the history of the Federation. Ordinary Individual Membership recognises former Heads of FOBISIA Member Schools. Membership is open to former FOBISIA Heads who have retired or hold a position outside the FOBISIA school community.

2. Why should I consider this membership?

FOBISIA is the premier Federation of British international schools in Asia, and is a diverse and inclusive community offering peer-to-peer support and extensive networking and collaboration opportunities to our members. FOBISIA’s core business is focused on continuing professional development, student enrichment, quality assurance, safeguarding, and representation among our counterparts and in the UK Government.

In an effort to retain the substantial breadth and depth of institutional knowledge that exists within Member Schools in the region, FOBISIA offers a category of membership for individuals who have held Headships of FOBISIA Member Schools in the past. Individual Membership provides opportunities for experienced education leaders to remain engaged within the region and contribute to the FOBISIA experience for Member Schools.

3. How do you become an individual Member of FOBISIA?

Applying for Individual Membership requires an expression of interest to be submitted to FOBISIA HQ, which includes a Letter of Introduction, a Nomination Form and a signed Code of Conduct.

The Letter of Introduction outlines the nominee’s work history in FOBISIA Member Schools and why they are seeking Individual Membership.

The Nomination Form provides details of the nominee, as well as the proposer and two seconders, which must be existing Heads of FOBISIA Member Schools. FOBISIA HQ can support this process in identifying proposers and seconders.

The Code of Conduct sets out the principles which all Individual Members should follow in the course of their professional conduct and dealings with FOBISIA and its members.

Once complete, the expression of interest can be submitted by the nominee to FOBISIA HQ who will refer it for the Membership Committee’s consideration to recommend them for admission to the Federation as an Individual Member at the next Board Meeting FOBISIA Individual Membership FAQs.

4. Do you have to reapply every year for Individual Membership?

Individual Members are re-elected each calendar year. There is no limit to the number of times Individual Members can be re-elected.

5. What opportunities are there for Individual Members to get involved in FOBISIA activities?

Individual Members are invited to attend FOBISIA’s Annual Leadership Conference, with attendance available at a member rate.

They may also have opportunities to contribute to FOBISIA’s initiatives, such as supporting CPD events (e.g., speaking at the Annual Leadership Conference) or student activities (e.g., judging competitions).

6. What is the annual fee for Individual Membership and other costs?

There is no annual fee for Individual Membership. Costs to attend the Annual Leadership Conference are the same as for Member School delegates.

School Membership FAQs

1. Why should our school join FOBISIA?

FOBISIA is the premier Federation of British international schools in Asia, and is a diverse and inclusive community offering peer-to-peer support and extensive networking and collaboration opportunities to our members. FOBISIA’s core business is focused on continuing professional development, student enrichment, quality assurance, safeguarding, and representation among our counterparts and in the UK Government.

2. What are the benefits of becoming a FOBISIA Member School?

Each year, FOBISIA Member Schools work together to plan and host 35+ professional development events for staff (including conferences, webinars, workshops, and training, supported by an online Community Forum) and 50+ student events (including sports invitationals, festivals, conferences and academic competitions), with the Friendly Games hosted in a central hub.

FOBISIA’s Annual Leadership Conference provides an exclusive opportunity for Heads and senior leaders within the Federation to come together with leading educational thinkers from the UK and elsewhere, share best practice, and interact with a range of educational suppliers and organisations from around the globe.

FOBISIA’s Biennial Teaching Community Conference provides an exclusive opportunity for teachers and TAs within the Federation to come together with leading educational thinkers from the UK and elsewhere and share best practice.

3. What are the strengths of the Federation?

Although FOBISIA has grown and developed as a Federation over a 35-year period, it remains an inclusive and welcoming community that is much respected across Asia, and beyond. One of our strengths is our commitment to being a community that “Cares and Shares” where the access schools have to a vast network promotes collaboration and co- operation. FOBISIA delivers high-quality shared professional development and an extensive student enrichment programme to all its Member Schools throughout Asia, offering staff and students a unique opportunity to develop lasting friendships, and experience different cultures and learning environments around the region.

4. Does FOBISIA have a connection with other organisations and the UK Government?

FOBISIA maintains strong collaborative relationships with its regional counterparts across the globe, including the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO), British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC), and the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS), among others.

FOBISIA engages actively with the UK Government (such as DfE and DIT, and the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys in Asia) and related agencies (such as Embassies) on a range of matters relevant to British international education.

British education has a strong reputation outside of the UK, to which FOBISIA and British International Schools contribute significantly. Whether it be keeping our teaching staff up to date with recent trends and developments in the UK, or equipping students and staff to return to the UK education system and contribute to British society at large, FOBISIA proudly represents, promotes and supports the very best of British education overseas and we are very honoured to have a membership that reflects the UK’s Education is Great campaign.

5. How many schools are members and where are they located?

FOBISIA’s membership takes in 100+ Member Schools across 20 countries and regions within Asia, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China and it’s territories - Hong Kong and Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

6. What are the expectations on becoming a member?

Upon becoming a member of FOBISIA, Member Schools are expected to maintain their quality and code of conduct standards in order to continue to meet the Federation’s strict membership criteria. FOBISIA supports its Member Schools so they can be the best they can be and closely monitors compliance to ensure that they are able to remain in the Federation and continue to play an active role in achieving its mission.

It is not only what FOBISIA can bring to its members, but it is also as much about what its members can bring to FOBISIA. The Federation promotes and encourages a culture of sharing. Member schools can select the activities that they may choose to either participate in, or even host which does provides members with the opportunity to showcase their schools.

7. Can a newly established school join FOBISIA?

Schools are welcome to apply for FOBISIA membership once they have achieved accreditation, ensuring they are well-positioned to participate fully in the opportunities and collaborative community the Federation offers.

8. How can a school become a member?

Candidate schools are required to submit an application, which must demonstrate that they meet FOBISIA’s membership criteria. If FOBISIA’s Membership Committee deems an application as meeting the criteria, they will recommend a Pre-Membership Visit be arranged to validate the application. If the visit results in a recommendation from FOBISIA’s visiting representatives that the school be admitted to the Federation, the matter is put to the membership for a vote. If the vote receives the support of a simple majority, the school is admitted to the Federation, effective immediately, and they are invited to attend the next Heads’ Business Meeting.

9. Does a school need to meet certain standards to become a member?

FOBISIA’s By-Laws outline a range of criteria that must be met in order to be accepted as a member of FOBISIA. These include a number of general criteria relating to Britishness, governance, safeguarding and quality assurance.

10. Do schools need to be accredited to become a member of FOBISIA?

All applicant schools must be accredited by a FOBISIA-approved external agency in order to complete the application process. For your reference, here is a link to The British Schools Accreditation List.

11. What does it cost to become a member of FOBISIA?

School Membership Fees is reviewed annually by the Federation. FOBISIA’s Fee Schedule includes two components, an annual subscription fee and an enrolment fee. The enrolment fee is determined by the number of students enrolled in the school.

12. Are there different types of FOBISIA membership?

There are four categories of FOBISIA Membership.

School Membership: Full and Associate Membership
Individual Membership: The former heads of Member Schools in order to retain the invaluable institutional knowledge that exists among our dynamic network of school leaders in and beyond the region
Friends of FOBISIA: UK school (Independent or state) or a British school overseas (beyond Asia)
Affiliate Membership: Education organisations of interest to Member Schools

Friends of FOBISIA FAQs

1. What is FOBISIA?

FOBISIA is a registered society in Singapore with its HQ located in Thailand. It is a not-forprofit Federation of British international schools in Asia. FOBISIA is the premier Federation in Asia supporting and promoting high-quality British-style international education.

2. How is FOBISIA governed?

FOBISIA’s governance is defined by its constitution and by-laws. FOBISIA has an elected Board that oversee the Federation’s Governance; FOBISIA has its HQ in Bangkok, Thailand

3. What is FOBISIA’s Mission?

It is FOBISIA’s Mission to deliver value for our members by ensuring high quality Britishstyle international education through shared professional development, student enrichment and mutual support between Member Schools in the region.

With more than 30 years of shared history, the FOBISIA family is a diverse and inclusive community of global citizens. As a growing Federation, FOBISIA prides itself on the provision of quality British-style international education while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. All Member Schools are either accredited or working towards accreditation with leading institutions. FOBISIA is more than a group of schools; it is about what members can bring to the Federation and the way they work together that makes it unique. FOBISIA Member Schools are all committed to bringing value, maintaining standards and living the ethos of the Federation for the benefit of all.

4. What is the ‘Friends of FOBISIA’ network?

FOBISIA is strengthening its connections with independent and other schools in the UK, as well as British international schools beyond Asia, through a Friends of FOBISIA network, so that such schools can also enjoy some of the benefits of being part of the Federation’s growing family of members. The relationships forged through the Friends of FOBISIA will assist to equip teachers and students (and their families) looking to move into Asia with the knowledge and support they need to flourish. Similarly, it will provide meaningful connections for FOBISIA’s Member School community seeking to move out of the region, especially for those returning to the UK.

By its very nature, the British international education space is characterised by a degree of transience. Its teaching and student communities tend to move around within Asia (often between Member Schools), and beyond, especially back to the UK. Similarly, there is a steady supply of new and established teachers seeking to experience working in British international schools overseas, including in Asia and elsewhere.

The Friends of FOBISIA network creates a broader platform to promote the work the Federation does to support its Member Schools in Asia, and to enrich the British education experience and learning outcomes elsewhere; ultimately in the spirit of developing connected communities of global citizens.

5. What are the benefits of becoming a ‘Friend of FOBISIA’?

Becoming a Friend of FOBISIA provides the following opportunities for schools:

Opportunities to attend the Annual FOBISIA Leadership Conference, space permitting.
A listing on the FOBISIA website; in FOBISIA’s termly newsletter for Member Schools, THE FOBISIAN; and in FOBISIA’s Membership Handbook & Directory.
Use of the FOBISIA “Friends of FOBISIA” badge for marketing purposes consistent with guidelines; and
Opportunities to participate in networking, professional development, and student enrichment events, space permitting and on a case by case basis.

6. Who can become a ‘Friend of FOBISIA’ and how do they go about it?

There is not a long list of criteria that qualify a school to become a Friend of FOBISIA, however the school must be either a UK school (Independent or state) or a British school overseas (beyond Asia). The school must meet the same expectations as full FOBISIA Member Schools with respect to standards and as such will need to have been fully accredited by a FOBISIA-approved inspectorate. The Head or Principal is the official representative of the school (and the primary contact).

In order to become a Friend of FOBISIA, a school must firstly meet the above criteria and secondly send a Letter of Introduction to FOBISIA. The Letter of Introduction should be on official school letterhead:

Demonstrate the relationship between the school and British education in the UK and how it aligns with FOBISIA’s values
Outline the reasons for wanting to become a Friend of FOBISIA, and how it will enrich the school community as well as the FOBISIA; and
A commitment to FOBISIA’s Code of Professional Conduct

Upon receiving the Letter of Introduction, FOBISIA HQ will liaise with FOBISIA’s Membership Committee and upon their agreement, arrange a virtual meeting with the Head of School and an identified representative of FOBISIA. As Friends of FOBISIA are officially recognised as members of the Federation, they are required to sign FOBISIA’s Professional Code of Conduct. Once the FOBISIA Membership Committee is confident that the school aligns with FOBISIA’s values and is willing and able to meet FOBISIA’s Code of Conduct, their status as a Friend of FOBISIA is confirmed and they are issued with their Friends of FOBISIA certificate and badge.

7. Is there a limit on how many schools can be a ‘Friends of FOBISIA’ member?

The Friends of FOBISIA membership is limited to 20% of the total number of school members.

8. Is there a membership fee and how long is a membership term?

A Friend of FOBISIA school is offered a three-year membership. This is renewable upon review of the membership towards the end of the third year. The fee to become a Friend of FOBISIA is 500 GBP (950 SGD) per year, charged at the start of each year.

CPD (Continuing Professional Development) FAQs

1. What kind of CPD events do FOBISIA Member Schools offer?

FOBISIA Member Schools host a number of Job-Alike Workshops (JAWS) and CPD conferences over the course of the Academic Year.

FOBISIA also holds an annual CPD Leaders Conference and a biennial Teaching Community Conference, which are hosted by FOBISIA Member Schools. Both conferences offer opportunities for teachers to meet, collaborate and progress professionally.

FOBISIA also offers webinars hosted by Member Schools and Affiliate Members, throughout the academic year.

2. What kind of recognised external CPD does FOBISIA provide?

FOBISIA offers National Professional Qualification (NPQ) courses for Heads, Senior Leaders and Middle Leaders. We currently partner with the Education Success Partners - ESP to facilitate this.

We are able to connect staff with providers that support NQT for newly graduated teachers with QTS. We also work closely with the UK’s DfE in providing greater recognition for international teachers who wish to return to work in the UK.

From time to time we may partner with an Affiliate Member organisation to provide additional courses or qualifications.

3. What is a JAWS event?

Job-Alike Workshops (JAWS) are hosted by Member Schools and provide an opportunity for professionals in similar fields to share good practice and knowledge in a cost-effective and practical way. The host school ensures all participants are actively involved in the planning of the agenda and are asked to contribute by presenting workshops within a specific area. All sessions are led or facilitated by the host and a continuing professional dialogue is encouraged. JAWS can be conducted face-to-face (1.5 days) or online (3-6 hours) as an eJAWS.

If a host school invites an external speaker to conduct a session at a JAWS event then it is known as a JAWS-Conference.

4. How can I find out more about FOBISIA CPD Events?

All details of CPD Events can be found on the FOBISIA website - www.fobisia.org. You’ll also find the latest information in our monthly CPD Digest magazine, which is circulated by FOBISIA within Member Schools. We will also share details in emails to our school’s CPD Leaders and on our staff online sharing platform, FOBISIA Connect.

5. What is a CPD Leader?

A CPD Leader is a designated lead in a Member School on all things CPD. They are also a key liaison between FOBISIA HQ and school colleagues. A CPD Leader is required to attend the FOBISIA CPD Leaders Conference and other relevant meetings. A CPD Leader from a Member School with full membership has voting rights for the FOBISIA CPD Committee and is eligible to hold office on the CPD Committee.

6. What is the CPD Committee and what do they do?

The CPD Committee is made up of seven members which includes a Chair, Vice-chair, Board Liaison and CPD Regional Representatives. The CPD Committee works with school CPD Leaders to represent regional and individual school needs, agree and formulate the CPD calendar, provide a level of quality assurance and lead innovation and development in CPD practices.

7. I am interested in hosting a CPD Event with FOBISIA. How do I go about this?

In order to host a CPD Event, schools enter a bidding process for the next academic year. Bid forms are circulated in January of each year and collected in February, before being consolidated into a CPD Events Calendar for the following Academic Year. For more information on this, please visit our CPD Handbook, which can be found in the ‘Member Support’ section on the FOBISIA website.

8. What are CPD regions?

In order to allow for more tailored CPD support when needed, FOBISIA Member Schools are designated among three regions based on their geographical location:

Region A: India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia
Region B: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore
Region C: P.R.China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Uzbekistan

9. What opportunities exist to allow for collaboration with other schools and organisations?

By belonging to the Federation, Member Schools are able to work together to deliver CPD through regional meetings, JAWS, eJAWS, Conferences and more. These gatherings invite different schools to share their strategies, resources and ideas. In addition, schools that organise and invite their own keynote speakers may either invite other member schools to participate, or share presenters with other Member Schools in the same area to save costs. Member Schools are also supported by FOBISIA’s Affiliate Members, who can offer expertise and CPD tools, resources and platforms. For more information on Affiliate Members, please visit the FOBISIA website, under Our Members.

FOBISIA also works closely with other British international schools associations, such as BSME, LAHC, NABSS, AoBSO, COBIS in sharing professional development.

10. Who can I contact to ask questions related to FOBISIA CPD Events?

Please contact FOBISIA’s CPD Executive at cpd-safeguarding@fobisia.org You can also contact your school’s CPD Leader and refer to the CPD Handbook, which can be found in the ‘Member Support’ section on the FOBISIA website, under Publications.

Student Events FAQs

1. Why does FOBISIA offer Student Events?

FOBISIA Student Events enrich the experience of Member School students by fostering cross-cultural understanding, leadership, teamwork, resilience, friendship, and fun.

2. What sort of Student Events does FOBISIA offer?

FOBISIA offers opportunities for Member Schools to host and participate in Student Events across any academic subject area, from English, Maths and Science, to Drama, Music and Sports.Events take various forms, including individual and team challenges, competitions, festivals, conferences, and virtual or online events. These events may take place in person, with students travelling to another Member School or a central hub to participate, or be hosted entirely online.

3. What does FOBISIA’s Annual Calendar of Student Events look like?

FOBISIA’s Annual Calendar of Student Events features a number of core on-going events, including Performing Arts Events (e.g. Drama and Music Festivals), The Friendly Games - Primary, U13 and U15 Games), Sports Invitationals (e.g. Gymnastics, Climbing, Swimming, and Tennis), and Academic Events (e.g. Maths, D+T, Creative Coding, Short Story and Visual Arts Competitions), and Conferences (e.g. Environmental and Student Leadership Conferences). Member Schools and FOBISIA HQ also initiate ad hoc events, which may evolve based on interest and demand. Full details of upcoming Student Events can be found on the FOBISIA website and an overview of annual events is in the Membership Handbook.

4. Who can participate in FOBISIA Student Events?

Participation in FOBISIA Student Events is open to students from all FOBISIA Member Schools, including both Full and Associate Members. FOBISIA Student Events are usually aimed at a particular year group or Key Stage and events are designed to be as inclusive as possible. On occasions, where an event is designated as an ‘in-country’ event, only schools within the host country are invited to join. At the discretion of the host school, non-member schools may be invited to join an event; these events are called ‘FOBISIA Invitationals’.

5. Who can host FOBISIA Student Events?

Our Student Events are generally hosted by FOBISIA Member Schools and from time to time FOBISIA HQ works with external providers that offer specialised Student Events. For example, although they were successfully hosted in Member Schools for many years, The Games are now managed by an external provider and are located in a specialised facility in order to accommodate the growth of the Federation.

6. How are Student Event hosts selected, set up and managed?

Towards the end of term 1, we request proposals to be submitted by Member Schools interested in hosting student events for the following academic year. This process is coordinated by FOBISIA HQ with input from the Student Events Committees.

The Games are hosted by an external provider who is contracted by the FOBISIA Board and FOBISIA HQ. Drama and Music Festivals are generally planned with a two-year lead time.

FOBISIA HQ’s Student Events Executive coordinates the planning of Student Events once they are confirmed and can connect the event host with previous hosts for additional information and support. The Student Events Executive also supplies feedback from previous events to enable the host to build on successes, adapt processes and understand any challenges faced. Where relevant, if the host feels they require outside support in hosting an event, the Student Events Executive connects the host with appropriate Affiliate Members.

Once the planning of the event is complete, the organisation and delivery of the event is managed by the host school.

7. How are FOBISIA Events promoted?

All Student Events are promoted on the FOBISIA website and through social media. Events are also added to the relevant events calendar, accessible via the FOBISIA website.

Once a school has committed to host a confirmed event, they are requested to supply a promotional flyer to FOBISIA HQ. This flyer is posted on the FOBISIA website as well as FOBISIA’s social media channels.

At the beginning of each term or as an event approaches, FOBISIA HQ sends a notification of the event, along with the flyer and any registration details to Heads of School and designated FOBISIA Leads at all Member Schools.

Periodically, as an event or closing date for registration approaches, FOBISIA HQ can send reminders through its social media channels.

8. Other than hosting, how are Member Schools involved in the planning of Student Events?

FOBISIA has established a number of Student Events Committees where additional coordination is required to support the planning of multiple large-scale events hosted by Member Schools (i.e. Drama, Music and PE & Sport). Working groups are also established from time to time to deliver collaborative projects. FOBISIA’s Student Events Committees are supported by FOBISIA HQ’s Student Events Executive and have a conduit to the FOBISIA Board via an elected Board liaison. They meet at least bi-annually and have oversight of all events that come under their subject area to ensure consistent quality of delivery. The committees also work to support collaboration between FOBISIA Member Schools within and across regions, and to promote and develop continuing professional development for staff within their respective subject areas.

9. Are there costs for Member Schools to participate in Student Events and what do these cover?

Costs to participate in Student Events are decided by the host school and are budgeted on a “break even” basis. HQ keeps a record of event charges to ensure consistency of offers.

For face-to-face events, costs usually include attendance at the event, transfers between hotels and event location, catering during the event day and, depending on the event, may also include additional cultural excursions and a gala dinner event. What is included in the event fee is outlined by the host school to participants. Fees do not usually include flights and hotels, but host schools secure and promote hotel ‘deals’ and preferred hotels where possible.

Virtual and online Student Events which are hosted by Member Schools are usually hosted free of charge.

10. What are The Games?

The FOBISIA Friendly Games aim to provide sporting opportunities at an appropriate level in a safe and competitive environment, by ensuring equal opportunity and participation for both boys and girls, and providing a learning experience in sportsmanship, the value of healthy competition, and the benefits of training in preparation for competition.

There are three games series per year; the Under 15 Friendly Games (held in November), the U13 Friendly Games (held February to March) and the U11 Friendly Games (held April to June). The Under 15s are open to years 9 and 10, the Under 13s are open to years 7 and 8, and the Primary Games (or Under 11s) are open to children in school years 5 and 6.

The Games consist of four disciplines which differ between Primary and Secondary, as follows:
Primary Games: Athletics, Football, Swimming and Tee-Ball
Under 13 and Under 15 Games: Athletics, Basketball, Football and Swimming

In the spirit of their moniker, there is no overall winner of the Friendly Games.

11. Do all schools participate in The Games?

All Member Schools are eligible to compete in The Games, but it is the school’s choice as to whether they participate or not. Some schools elect to participate in only one or two Games series in a given year, depending on the number of athletes they have in those respective age groups.

12. How are the groups determined for The Games?

Safeguarding of Student Events is a high priority. Membership of FOBISIA requires schools to satisfy criteria outlined in FOBISIA’s Constitution and By-laws, which require schools to have a Safeguarding Policy and a designated Child Protection Officer in place. The responsibility for the safety and protection of all students involved in events hosted by Member Schools lies with the host school. As such, only fully accredited Member Schools (categorised as Full Member Schools) are permitted to host face-to-face Student Events to ensure that the necessary safeguarding protocols and best practices are in place and up to date.

Where events are hosted by FOBISIA HQ and delivered by external providers, FOBISIA HQ has a responsibility for the safety and protection of all students involved. As such, HQ staff are required to undergo accredited Safeguarding Training in Child Protection in International Schools. All external providers are required to sign and abide by FOBISIA’s Safeguarding Student Events Hosted by External Providers Code of Conduct, and are responsible for ensuring the staff they engage on a paid or voluntary basis have signed a Safeguarding Code of Conduct and, where relevant, have the correct level of safeguarding training and police checks. The criteria for this is outlined in the FOBISIA HQ Safeguarding Student Events Hosted by External Providers Code of Conduct and Guidelines, which are available from FOBISIA HQ

13. How is student safeguarding addressed through FOBISIA Student Events?

Safeguarding of Student Events is high priority. Membership of FOBISIA requires schools to satisfy criteria outlined in FOBISIA’s Constitution and By-laws, which require schools to have a Safeguarding Policy and a designated Child Protection Officer in place. The responsibility for the safety and protection of all students involved in events hosted by Member Schools lies with the host school. As such, only fully accredited Member Schools (categorised as Full Member Schools) are permitted to host Student Events to ensure that the necessary safeguarding protocols and best practices are in place and up to date.

Where events are hosted by FOBISIA HQ and delivered by external providers, FOBISIA HQ has a responsibility for the safety and protection of all students involved. As such, HQ staff are required to undergo accredited Safeguarding Training in Child Protection in International Schools. All external providers are required to sign and abide by FOBISIA’s Safeguarding Student Events Hosted by External Providers Code of Conduct, and are responsible for ensuring the staff they engage on a paid or voluntary basis have signed a Safeguarding Code of Conduct and, where relevant, have the correct level of safeguarding training and police checks. The criteria for this is outlined in the FOBISIA HQ Safeguarding Student Events Hosted by External Providers Code of Conduct and Guidelines, which are available from FOBISIA HQ.

14. Who do I contact for further information on Student Events?

Please contact Janine Minchin, FOBISIA’s Student Events Executive, at janine.minchin@fobisia.org for all matters relating to FOBISIA Student Events. You can also find out more information about upcoming events on FOBISIA’s website at https://www.fobisia.org/student-events.

Safeguarding FAQs

1. How does FOBISIA promote wellbeing, safeguarding, and child protection?

The FOBISIA Safeguarding Committee was established in order to advise Heads of Member Schools and their Boards on the latest developments in child protection practice. Through the Safeguarding Committee, the Federation improves the connections between Member Schools and reputable safeguarding providers, therefore improving their access to the latest developments in safeguarding systems and tools. Through FOBISIA HQ, the Safeguarding Committee also communicates with Designated Safeguarding Leads in Member Schools. This collaborative, networked approach allows Member Schools to collate resources and share expertise.

2. Who constitutes the FOBISIA Safeguarding Committee?

The FOBISIA Safeguarding Committee currently consists of nine members: two Co-Chairs, six Executives and a Board Liaison. Each committee member represents different Member Schools from all over the region. The Safeguarding Committee meets as required, approximately twice per term and usually prior to the FOBISIA Board meetings.

3. What safeguarding support does FOBISIA provide for our Member Schools?

The Safeguarding Committee is dedicated to supporting Member Schools through various initiatives. Recent efforts have included providing safer recruitment guidance and offering peer support to safeguarding officers new to their roles. Additionally, FOBISIA is pleased to facilitate connections between Member Schools and relevant Affiliate Members.

4. What is BISSC?

BISSC is the British International School Safeguarding Coalition. It was established to promote a unified strategic and coordinated approach to strengthening global safeguarding systems.This comes following a joint commitment and passion to drive forward global safeguarding standards from:

Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA)
The Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO)
British Schools in the Middle East (BSME)
Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC)
National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS)
The Safeguarding Alliance (TSA)

We joined forces to address critical issues and work collaboratively to drive change. By engaging with policymakers and elected representatives, BISSC aims to ensure global safeguarding risks, challenges and concerns are given the utmost priority in order to protect those most vulnerable.

5. What Safeguarding CPD opportunities exist?

Each year, FOBISIA offers a Safeguarding and Pastoral Care Conference, hosted by a Member School and open to all other Member Schools. This event provides an opportunity to network, learn about the latest developments in safeguarding practices, and share best practices to enhance the well-being of school communities.

FOBISIA schools are also invited to host safeguarding/well-being Job-alike Workshops (JAWS). These workshops provide an opportunity for professionals in similar fields to share good practice and knowledge in a cost-effective and practical way. For more information on JAWS, please see our CPD FAQs.

6. Who do I contact for further information on Safeguarding?

Please contact our CPD and Safeguarding Executive at cpd-safeguarding@fobisia.org for further information on safeguarding.

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