The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) plays a vital role in supporting newly recruited teachers, particularly those joining British international schools globally. As education standards rise and the international teaching workforce expands, COBIS offers comprehensive professional development, training, induction, and mentoring programs designed to help new teachers succeed and grow in their careers. This article explores how COBIS supports early career teachers, highlighting its latest initiatives, structured programs, and benefits for newly recruited educators.
COBIS Programme for Early Career Teachers (CPECT)
One of the cornerstone supports for newly recruited teachers is the COBIS Programme for Early Career Teachers (CPECT), a two-year professional development and support programme launched recently. This blended learning initiative combines termly online sessions with self-directed learning, allowing new teachers to integrate theory with practice. The course covers practical teaching skills, classroom management, and curriculum planning, fostering confidence and competence.
Key features of the CPECT include:
- Opportunity to engage with experienced lecturers and fellow early career teachers worldwide.
- An emphasis on the three R’s — Read, Research, and React — to combine theoretical knowledge with real classroom practice.
- Availability to both teachers undergoing formal induction and those not formally inducted but seeking to enhance their skills.
This program runs on a schedule with sessions throughout the academic year, and bookings for the 2025/26 cycle are currently open, demonstrating COBIS’s commitment to sustained teacher development right from the start of their careers.
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Opportunities
COBIS actively promotes and signposts high-quality Initial Teacher Training (ITT) routes that international schools can use to develop new teachers. These include internationally recognized certifications such as the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE). By partnering with institutions like Coventry University, Tes Institute, University of Buckingham, and others, COBIS offers member schools preferential rates for teacher training courses.
Highlights of ITT support:
- Flexible routes tailored for international contexts, including Assessment Only pathways for experienced teachers seeking certification.
- Specialized programs covering general teaching, special educational needs, and leadership development.
- Discounts and incentives for COBIS members to access these training opportunities affordably.
This comprehensive approach ensures newly recruited teachers can access relevant and recognized qualifications, enhancing their professional standing and teaching effectiveness.
Early Career Teacher (ECT) Induction
The COBIS network supports formal Early Career Teacher (ECT) induction in qualifying schools. This induction period is an extended phase (six terms) designed to ease teachers into the profession with mentorship and gradual increase in responsibilities. Qualifying COBIS schools that have passed British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspections can deliver this induction adhering to Department for Education (DfE) standards.
ECT induction includes:
- Reduced teaching timetable for new teachers (10% reduction in the first year and 5% in the second) to allow time for development.
- Structured mentoring and assessment to build teaching skills and confidence.
- A supportive community of practice among new teachers and school leaders.
This official induction pathway is critical for newly recruited educators to transition confidently from training to full teaching responsibilities.
COBIS Training Schools and Professional Learning Networks
COBIS Training Schools serve as regional hubs that focus on initial teacher training, career progression, and workforce development. These schools act as centers of excellence, providing training, networking, and the sharing of best practices. Becoming a COBIS Training School also signals a strong commitment to professional learning and development, attractive to prospective teachers.
Benefits of COBIS Training Schools for new teachers include:
- Access to professional learning events, webinars, and workshops.
- Opportunities to connect with peers and senior educators for mentorship.
- Participation in a quality-assured training culture that supports career growth.
- Enhanced recruitment prospects as schools demonstrate robust staff development commitment.
These hubs actively help meet the international teacher supply needs by nurturing new talent and supporting teacher retention, easing the transition for those entering the profession.
Creative and Tailored Professional Development
Recognizing that new teachers come from diverse backgrounds, COBIS supports creative professional development pathways. For example, international schools within the network facilitate routes for local hires and less experienced teachers to gain internationally recognized qualifications, such as QTS through assessment-only routes. This flexibility helps schools broaden their recruitment pools and support teacher retention by valuing ongoing development.
Table: Summary of COBIS Supports for Newly Recruited Teachers
| Support Type | Description | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| COBIS Programme for Early Career Teachers (CPECT) | Two-year blended professional development course for new teachers. | Practical skills, global networking, theory-practice integration. |
| Initial Teacher Training (ITT) | Partnerships to access QTS, iPGCE, and other qualifications at preferential rates. | Certified qualifications, flexible routes, specialized training. |
| Early Career Teacher (ECT) Induction | Formal induction period with timetable reduction, mentoring, and structured assessment. | Gradual responsibility increase, confidence building. |
| COBIS Training Schools | Regional hubs offering professional learning, networking, and training excellence recognition. | Quality assurance, professional growth, enhanced recruitment. |
| Creative Professional Development | Tailored paths for local and international teachers, including assessment-only QTS routes. | Increased recruitment diversity, higher retention rates. |
Bulleted Summary of How COBIS Supports Newly Recruited Teachers
- Provides a structured and supportive induction period through the ECT framework.
- Offers the comprehensive COBIS Programme for Early Career Teachers to build teaching skills and confidence.
- Facilitates access to internationally recognized initial teacher training qualifications at special rates.
- Establishes Training Schools as regional centers for professional development and networking.
- Encourages flexible qualification routes tailored to diverse teacher backgrounds and local contexts.
- Promotes a professional learning culture enhancing teacher retention and career progression.
- Supports schools in delivering high-quality mentoring and practical development opportunities.
Latest Updates for 2025
- Bookings for the 2025/26 COBIS Programme for Early Career Teachers are now open, with planned online sessions spread through the academic year.
- New COBIS Training Schools, including Hartland International School (UAE) and Epsom College (Malaysia), have been appointed starting autumn 2024, expanding regional training support.
- Continued collaboration with major UK universities and institutes to provide discounted teacher training courses ensures accessible professional qualifications for COBIS member schools.
- COBIS is encouraging more international schools to engage with Initial Teacher Training routes to meet the global teacher supply challenge, enhancing support for newly recruited teachers worldwide.
In essence, COBIS supports newly recruited teachers through a comprehensive ecosystem of induction, training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities designed specifically to meet the challenges of international schools. This integrated approach not only boosts the confidence and skills of new teachers but also helps schools recruit, develop, and retain high-quality educators for sustainable educational excellence.
By investing in early career teacher support, COBIS contributes significantly to shaping the next generation of teaching professionals ready to thrive in global classrooms.
