CfBT - Education Trust >

Support >

Support for International Schools

CfBT's School Accreditation Process

Aims of the Service

  • To provide a framework for school improvement with the benefit of a professional partnership
  • To provide quality assurance relating to a set of standards based on expectations of international best practice.

Main features of the Process


The accreditation process has a series of distinct stages, which may be identified as steps within a three-year timeframe or cycle.

Once a school has been accredited, then the process commences again as the process of development continues with the school continuing to work with the support of the assigned consultant towards further school improvement.

  • Step 1 - Application - Preliminary Candidacy screening

This includes the submission of the school’s registration papers followed by a visit, which determines a school’s readiness and its candidacy status for accreditation.

  • Step 2 - Candidacy Preparation - Initial Accreditation Visit

Once deemed a candidate for accreditation, a school is provided with a CfBT Assigned Consultant and proceeds to prepare an evidence-based report or self-evaluation with the support and guidance of the AC in preparation for the verification team visit. The length of the preparation period prior to accreditation is determined during this stage of the process and may vary according to school’s individual circumstances.

  • Step 3 – Accreditation - the Verification Visit

This is conducted by a small team of experienced, external inspectors in addition to the Assigned Consultant, who consider the school’s self review, and evaluate the school with an evidence based approach.

  • Step 4 – Improvement -Follow up Actions

Following the verification visit and evidence that the school has met the required standards the school is formally recognised as accredited.

After this the school continues to work with the Assigned Consultant on the further recommendations for school improvement with an agreed action plan.