At the COBIS Annual Conference held in London this week, Emily Konstantas, chair of the British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC) and CEO and founder of The Safeguarding Alliance, formally launched the BISSC Safer Recruitment Code of Conduct.
The framework sets out a shared commitment to rigorous, transparent and ethical recruitment practices within international education, and which will be applicable to all school members of BISSC founding organisations.
The code is designed to serve as a supportive guidance tool, helping schools reflect on and elevate their recruitment practices. According to BISSC, it will set a new global benchmark for excellence in safeguarding, aiming to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in education.
“We believe this framework has the power to transform how schools approach recruitment and protection, and we look forward to seeing the positive, lasting impact it will have when implemented in September,” a BISSC spokesperson said.
The launch came during the COBIS Annual Conference, which this year was held under the theme ‘Passion with Purpose’.
The event attracted international school leaders, education businesses and suppliers, and students from around the world for three days of keynotes, panels, and networking, exploring how the sector can harness its passion to extend the reach, impact, and social purpose of international education. Themes included social responsibility, leadership, innovation, wellbeing, sustainability, and the future of schools.
COBIS CEO Colin Bell described the conference as “a profound reminder of why we do what we do.”
He said that student-led panels were among the most powerful sessions, with young voices from countries including Nigeria, Myanmar, Venezuela, India, Qatar, Romania, and Croatia offering candid reflections on their experiences.
Another highlight of the conference was a session led by award-winning journalist Jenny Anderson and the Brookings Institution’s Rebecca Winthrop, who presented insights from their new book The Disengaged Teen. Drawing on five years of research, they introduced a transformative framework to help educators identify and address student disengagement through four learning modes – Passenger, Achiever, Resister, and Explorer – aimed at reigniting students’ internal motivation.
Education goes beyond academics – it empowers young people to be empathetic, engaged, and ready to shape a better world
Colin Bell, COBIS
Reflecting on the weekend, Bell said: “This conference has been a celebration of shared values, lived experiences, and purposeful passion. It affirmed that great education goes beyond academics – it empowers young people to be empathetic, engaged, and ready to shape a better world.
“Their energy, insight, and humour were nothing short of extraordinary. They reminded us that a sense of ‘home’ is not tied to geography but to community and connection – something COBIS schools strive to nurture every day,” said Bell.
