Colin Bell
Colin is CEO of COBIS, the Council of British International Schools.
Originally joining COBIS in 2010, Colin works with and supports talented students, support staff, teachers, leaders and governors from British International schools of global quality spanning over 80 countries worldwide.
Prior to COBIS, Colin taught in the UK, Far East and Europe and has led educational projects, in the UK and internationally, working with the DFE, Government Office for London, Eteach.com and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames where for 6 years, he was a member of the school improvement Inspectorate.
Tell us a bit about your background and education
I went to excellent schools in Liverpool, and I was shown great kindness by my teachers. At university I studied Horticulture and Plant Sciences and I worked for landscapers from when I was very young. I studied an elective too in child psychology and educational psychology. I was awarded two different degrees on graduation day! These two interests have always intermingled and cross-pollinated in my mind. There is no better opportunity to grow student potential than in COBIS so it’s apt and fitting to be here.
What is it that’s good about British schools and UK education? Is it enviable?
Most obviously it’s about the quality of teaching and the quality of governance. The level of safeguarding and child protection is also really strong if parents are investing it’s about the outcome, the impact which is very good for students wanting to transfer to UK, European or US universities.
Other education systems are worthy rivals but in terms of the volume of international schools, UK orientated curriculum is around 42% so we have a strong presence. We learn the whole time from the cultures of where our schools are based.
What is the broader mission of COBIS?
Helping students and schools thrive. Accreditation, quality assurance, and professional development are key parts of our offering. We also offer opportunities to students. Last year we had 45,000 students participate in competitions! We’re really excited about E-Sports too, which we are launching next year.
What is the future of inspections?
I’ve been involved in dealing with school improvement in Japan, Czech Republic, the UK.
Inspections has a very different offer to what COBIS do. It’s about ‘done with’ and not ‘done to’. Students for example say they see exams as a ‘screenshot’ and inspections have the same character, which is that they represent students and institutions for a moment in time.
We recognise the British Schools Overseas Inspection system from the DfE which we lobbied for in 2011/2012. Our own accreditation scheme is also gathering pace, 240 schools have done it since its inception.
Can you give us an insider view on UCAS?
I represent the views of COBIS in my work with IAG and UCAS. UCAS are certainly looking to redevelop the application process. We are looking at ways that personal statements can be revised. UCAS is looking to diversify the students getting into UK universities. Some statistics about UK entry are illustrative:
53% of COBIS students in 2019 chose the UK
44% of COBIS students in 2022 chose the UK
What I would say is that the personal statement will have to change. Now is the time for revision.