Close
The British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC) convened a high-level safeguarding consultation at the House of Lords last week, bringing together senior representatives from government, regulatory bodies, and BISSC associations to address persistent safeguarding challenges affecting British international schools.
Hosted with the support of The Rt Hon the Lord Knight of Weymouth and The Rt Hon the Baroness Morris of Yardley and Chaired by Emily Konstantas, the session centred on two regulatory gaps that have implications for safeguarding, safer recruitment and oversight of UK-registered teachers working in international schools:
1) The inability of international schools to report safeguarding concerns to UK regulators.
2) The lack of access for international schools to essential DfE regulatory portals
To support the discussions, BISSC presented a comprehensive evidence base, developed through:
• Freedom of Information requests submitted to relevant UK agencies
• Quantitative data from BISSC’s sector-wide consultation
• Qualitative insights and anonymised case studies
The combined evidence demonstrates that these gaps are systemic, longstanding, and carry identifiable safeguarding implications.
Representatives from the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), Department for Education (DfE), Education Workforce Council, Wales, General Teaching Council, Northern Ireland,Department for Business and Trade (DBT), National Crime Agency (NCA), Criminal Records Office (ACRO), Interpol, U.S. State Department and other key supportive partner agencies engaged fully in the discussions. Their presence reflects increasing recognition that safeguarding responsibilities must extend beyond geographical boundaries and that stronger mechanisms for international information-sharing are essential.
Colleagues from across BISSC associations, played an active role, ensuring that the lived realities of international schools were represented with accuracy, balance, and professionalism.
We extend our sincere thanks to all schools that contributed data and insight to last week’s consultation. Your participation enables BISSC to build a clear and responsible evidence base for policy reform.
Schools wishing to support the next phase of this work are invited to contact BISSC.
BISSC will now work with policymakers to progress the following priorities:
• Developing a safe, formalised reporting route for international safeguarding concerns
• Lobby for appropriate access to DfE safer-recruitment portals for BISSC-recognised schools and associations
With BISSC’s full support, The Safeguarding Alliance will publish a White Paper on 5thFebruary 2026, bringing together the sector’s evidence and outlining the urgent reforms required to close the safeguarding loopholes that currently place children at risk internationally.
BISSC Statement(s)
“Safeguarding must never be constrained by geography. British international schools deserve access to the same protections that keep children safe in the UK. BISSC remains fully committed to driving the systemic, legislative, and regulatory reforms required to close these gaps once and for all.”
— Emily Konstantas, Chair, BISSC
Contact BISSC – info@bissc.org.uk
click the link to subscribe
