All British international schools that wish to be recognised by the UK’s Department for Education and obtain British Overseas School status must be inspected every three years by one of seven UK government-approved inspectorates.

The British International School of Kuala Lumpur has recently been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which inspects many of the UK’s top independent schools.

Following its inspection by ISI in March, the British International School of Kuala Lumpur has been graded as Excellent in all areas of educational provision, a result that is comparable to that of top UK independent schools and is unprecedented here in Malaysia.

Inspections are rigorous and thorough. The school received nine inspectors from overseas who spent a week conducting lesson observations, interviewing parents, pupils, staff, and governors. A BSKL Officially Recognised as the Top British School in Malaysia total of 185 interviews and lesson observations were conducted. Inspectors also reviewed the school’s policies and processes to ensure they comply with UK standards of good practice.

In the final report, ISI provides an assessment of the school, specifically reporting on the following:

• Pupils’ achievements and their learning, attitudes and skills
• Curricular and extra-curricular provision
• Quality of teaching
• Spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils
• Arrangements for welfare, health and safety
• Governance of the school
• Leadership and management of the school
• Links with parents, carers and guardians

The main findings from the report were that “the British International School of Kuala Lumpur meets its challenging aims in exemplary fashion. The pupils achieve excellent standards in their learning, stimulated by the high quality of teaching provided by a passionate and committed staff and a broad, innovative, literacy-led curriculum, which includes outstanding provision for music and physical education, and enables the creation of confident speakers.”

Other highlights from the report include:

“The quality of the pupils’ achievements and of their learning, attitudes, and skills is excellent.”

“The contribution of extra-curricular activities is outstanding. Pupils have many opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities that include team and individual sports, performance in music, drama and debate.”

“The contribution of teaching is excellent. The relationship between the teachers and the children is exceptional, and the high quality of teaching ensures excellent learning so that the children are extremely well-prepared for the next stage of their education.”

“The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of the pupils is excellent. The pupils show a strong ethical and moral awareness.”

“Throughout the school, the quality of pastoral care is excellent. Relationships between staff and pupils and amongst the pupils themselves is excellent.”

“The excellence of the pupil’s academic and personal development provides evidence of the governors’ outstanding strategic oversight.”

“Leaders, at all levels, are committed to realising the school’s challenging aims to motivate pupils to achieve the extent of their intellectual and physical abilities, to provide a vibrant, happy, and secure environment, and to uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and respect.”

For more information, visit britishschool.edu.my.

This post was originally published in The Expat Magazine (May 2016) which is available online or in print via a free subscription.