The benefits of becoming a British Council Partner School

Join a global network of forward-thinking educators dedicated to excellence in education. We offer comprehensive support, helping you deliver international school qualifications with confidence. 

Contact us to become a Partner School

Helping schools deliver life-changing international school qualifications

The British Council supports schools deliver international qualifications. Together with globally trusted international education providers, we offer expert guidance for schools to adopt and improve the standards of international education in their schools. Our rigorous Quality and Compliance Assessment (QCA) process guarantees high-quality and secure exam delivery, even under the most challenging conditions. Our local presence enables us to offer personalised operational support that frees educators to concentrate on what truly matters, educational outcomes. 

We support teachers and leaders with continuing professional development and networking opportunities. Our Online Support for Schools (OSS) platform has to-date connected over 100,000 educators, enabling them to share best practices and network with peers and experts. We support students by facilitating classroom projects and extracurricular activities designed to develop global citizenship and core skills. Our safeguarding support help schools foster a safe and inclusive environment were learners can flourish.

Benefits of being a Partner School

 

Explore the programmes and services available to British Council Partner Schools. Each one supports a different school priority, and together they form the full Partner Schools offer.

 

Upskill through the Online Support for Schools (OSS)

The OSS platform is a user friendly online resource hub designed for teachers and leaders at British Council Partner Schools. Enhance your skills anytime, anywhere through our dedicated Learning and Development (L&D) hub.

Upskill through professional development
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Drive innovation with Action Research

The Partner Schools Action Research programme supports teachers and school leaders to drive meaningful improvements in leadership, teacher development, technology integration and student outcomes. Access expert guidance, resources, funding and mentoring to drive impactful school improvement.

Apply for grants
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Develop future-ready skills through the Your World video competition 

Your World is a global competition for young creative minds across our British Council Partner Schools network. It is designed to inspire creativity, critical thinking and real-world learning. Learners are invited to create and showcase a three-minute social action video that shares their unique perspective and innovative solutions to a social issue. 

Participate in the competition
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Connect with educators and experts at the Schools Now! conference 

The Schools Now! conference is an international conference for British Council Partner School leaders that fosters educational innovation. Network and gain valuable industry insights from educators and school leaders across a global community of over 2,500 Partner Schools.

Join the Schools Now! conference
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Collaborate with educators globally through Partner Schools Connect

Partner Schools Connect brings together educators from the British Council Partner Schools network worldwide to collaborate on joint classroom projects. The programme encourages participants to exchange ideas and engage with teachers and students from different countries. 

Connect with your peers in the network
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Create a safe and inclusive learning environment 

Safeguarding is at the heart of quality education. At the British Council, the safety and well-being of learners and educators is a top priority. It ensures every learner and educator is respected, protected, and free to explore their potential without fear. 

Access expert guidance and resources
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Secure and streamlined exam operational and delivery support

From registration to post-exam services, we provide operational support to help schools deliver international qualifications securely. This allows schools to focus more on teaching and less on exam administration. 

Learn more about our operational support
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Why do schools choose the British Council Partner Schools programme?

 

Becoming a British Council Partner School is more than joining a network. It gives your school access to trusted expertise, development opportunities and a global community to help you offer international school qualifications with confidence. Through the combined support of the British Council and international education providers we partner with, schools can draw on specialist insight and standards recognised worldwide.

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Deliver international school qualifications with confidence

Partner Schools benefit from practical guidance that helps them streamline the delivery of international qualifications securely and efficiently.  Our local teams work closely with schools to support operational excellence.

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Strengthen teaching and leadership capacity

Our professional development programme helps schools strengthen teaching and leadership skills to enhance classroom impact and support leadership growth. Schools can access structured learning resources, training opportunities and development pathways.

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Join a global community of educators

Being part of a global community enables peer learning and collaboration across diverse contexts. Schools can share best practices, learn from one another and participate in community initiatives that extend beyond individual events. 

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Support whole-school priorities

Strengthen whole-school priorities with resources and guidance that reinforce safeguarding practice and promote student wellbeing, including online safety and cyber wellbeing awareness.

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Encourage innovation through collaboration and research

Through programmes and opportunities within the network, schools can take part in collaborative projects and undertake action research that drives continuous improvement in schools.

Frequently asked questions about the Partner School Programme

Read answers to commonly asked questions. If you can’t find the answer you need, please contact us directly.

What is the British Council Partner Schools Programme?

The British Council Partner Schools Programme supports schools worldwide to deliver international school qualifications, offering expertise in exam delivery administration and logistics, professional development, and global networking.

How can I access training offered by the British Council?

A range of training opportunities are available to educators from Partner Schools. You can find upcoming sessions and register through the OSS platform or contact your school's Relationship Manager for more details.  

What is the Online Support for Schools (OSS) platform, and how do I gain access?

The Online Support for Schools (OSS) platform is a comprehensive resource for flexible online learning, offering a wide range of self-paced courses. Access is granted to teachers and school leaders from British Council Partner Schools. For login details, please consult your school's international qualifications department. 

Can I attend the Schools Now! conference if I'm not currently a British Council Partner School educator?

The Schools Now! conference is primarily for school leaders within the British Council Partner Schools network. However, there are instances where educators from non-partner schools can attend. For more information and to express interest, please check the Schools Now! web page.

What leadership development opportunities are available for aspiring educational leaders?

The British Council offers a range of leadership development pathways and programs focusing on educational leadership skills. These are accessible through the OSS platform. Educators can attend Principal's Forums in their country, regional UK Study Tour events, and the global Schools Now! Conference that takes place annually. Those looking to innovate or otherwise push education forward through their research can apply for an action research grant, which provides mentorship, resources, and funding.  

Are there resources available for teaching students with special needs?

Yes, the British Council includes Special Education Needs (SEN) resources to support educators in teaching students with special needs. These resources are available on the OSS platform.

How can I initiate an action research project through the British Council?

The call for research applications opens once a year and is announced on various British Council channels, including the OSS platform. The platform also has resources, forums and webinars that explore how to conduct action research. For further action grant queries, email us at BCPS_Action_Research_Grants@britishcouncil.org.

What support is available for teachers looking to integrate technology into their curriculum?

We offer specific training and online resources focused on incorporating technology into teaching practices. As a starting point, explore OSS platform to see what courses are available. Our Action Research publications are a great way to explore insights into integrating technology and AI into your classroom practice.

How can I network with other teachers and school leaders within the British Council Partner Schools network?

Various networking opportunities are available to Partner Schools. These include the Schools Now! conference, Principal Forums, UK Study Tour, and engaging in online forums and discussions on the OSS platform. Teachers can also network through Partner Schools Connect, where they can collaborate on joint classroom-based projects with teachers and students from the global Partner Schools community. 
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Become a Partner School

If your school would like to offer UK international school qualifications through the British Council, apply to become a Partner School today. 

Our team is ready to support you with tailored resources, professional development, and a network that spans across continents.

Become a Partner School