Many British international schools are struggling to recruit good quality staff, and pupil wellbeing and behavioural concerns are on the rise, a new survey suggests.
Nine out of ten schools find it “somewhat” or “very” challenging to recruit the required quality of teaching staff, the 2023 COBIS Annual Research Survey says.
However, a similar figure said they were “sometimes” or “always” able to recruit candidates that meet their expectations.
The survey, conducted in partnership with GL Education, collected information from COBIS member schools worldwide about assessment and curriculum choices, pupil and teacher numbers and university destinations. It also looked at diversity, wellbeing, digital innovation, and changes to curriculum and assessment.
Here are the key findings from the survey of 161 COBIS schools:
- Student numbers in COBIS schools remain strong, with 58 per cent of responding schools reporting an increase in student numbers compared to last year.
- Schools have observed a range of challenges in their school community in the past two years including: increase in wellbeing issues (67 per cent); increase in mental health issues (64 per cent); increase in social/behavioural issues (49 per cent); and increase in unacceptable online behaviour (39 per cent).
- 87 per cent of respondents have an individual within the school with specific responsibility for wellbeing.
- 91 per cent of responding schools find it somewhat or very challenging to recruit the required quality of teaching staff, but 94 per cent of respondents report that they are “sometimes” or “always” able to recruit candidates that meet their expectations.
- Nearly half of responding schools said they are considering how to teach students how to use AI responsibly and appropriately, with a further 25 per cent saying that they already do so.
- More than two thirds of schools have offered (or intend to offer) training for staff on AI and a third of schools are considering developing school policies on the use of AI. Others have adapted or are considering adapting existing policies in light of advances in AI and technology).
- In the past two years, schools have been adapting their curriculum to meet the needs of students in a variety of ways. 61 per cent of schools report an increased focus on wellbeing within the curriculum.
- A significant proportion have also increased digital skills/digital literacy (46 per cent), climate/environmental topics (39 per cent), 21st century skills (37 per cent) and life skills (37 per cent) within the curriculum.
- 80 per cent of responding schools feel they have made progress on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) since 2020. The areas in which the largest proportion of schools reported progress include policies and procedures, staff training, curriculum, and student voice.
- Local context/regulations and parental expectations were the most common factors felt to be barriers to EDI.
- 47 per cent of responding schools have an individual with responsibility for EDI in the school (up from 29 per cent in 2022).
- 93 per cent of leavers from COBIS schools (from 2022/23) went on to university; 45 per cent of those leavers went on to university in the UK (up from 44 per cent in 2022 and 42 per cent in 2021, but still below pre-pandemic levels).
- For students who chose university destinations in countries other than the UK, cost of university in the UK (including cost of living) remains the top factor believed to influence the decision (60 per cent).
Speaking about the results, COBIS CEO Colin Bell commented: “COBIS Member Schools continue to thrive and adapt their provision to meet the needs of their school community. This year’s report highlights continuing challenges with wellbeing, mental health, and teacher supply, and demonstrates how schools are responding to developments such as AI, and adapting curriculum with an increased focus on wellbeing, digital literacy, and sustainability.
“The report also provides an insight into Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in our schools, as well as trends in Higher Education destinations. As articulated in our Development Plan 2022-25, COBIS remains committed to supporting our member schools with all of these priorities.”