
Nearly one in five British international schools say that geo-political conflicts are having a 鈥渟ignificant” impact on their school and community, new research shows.
The annual research survey from the (COBIS) found that a further 34 per cent of schools reported a “moderate” impact from recent or current conflicts.
A third of schools also reported an increase in student anxiety 鈥渁s a result, or linked to geo-political conflicts鈥 in the past two years.
Some schools also highlighted confrontations between students, parental views impacting student behaviour or relationships; and conflict between parents.
Schools in the Middle East and North Africa were most likely to report geo-political conflicts having a significant or moderate impact on their school, while schools in Asia were the least likely.
The survey of 154 COBIS member schools was carried out in September and October last year, with armed conflicts raging in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, among others.
A year of 50 significant elections worldwide, with 1.5bn people going to the polls, also created a global sense of instability.
The survey, conducted in partnership with , revealed a range of other data from schools on how they were faring in a wide range of areas.
Wellbeing and mental health continued to be key priorities for schools, with respondents observing a range of challenges in their school community in the past two years including: increases in mental health issues (53 per cent), increases in wellbeing issues (50 per cent); and unacceptable online behaviour (40 per cent).
However, the percentage of schools reporting increases in mental health and wellbeing issues had declined compared to 2023.
Elsewhere, schools appeared to be getting on top of some of education鈥檚 biggest challenges 鈥 including the advent of Artificial Intelligence.
More than half (53 per cent) of respondents now teach students how to use AI responsibly and appropriately, more than double last year’s number (25 per cent), when schools were asked about this for the first time.
Teacher recruitment also continued to be an issue in the latest survey. A total of 87 per cent of responding schools find it somewhat or very challenging to recruit the required quality of teaching staff 鈥 down from 91 per cent in 2023.
A total of 96 per cent of respondents reported that they are 鈥渟ometimes鈥 or 鈥渁lways鈥 able to recruit candidates that meet their expectations (up from 94 per cent in 2023).
In terms of working conditions, 32 per cent of schools were able to offer flexible working arrangements for teachers, but a higher proportion (45 per cent) offer flexible working for support and administrative staff.
Another notable finding was the fall in the proportion of students going to UK universities.
A total of 39 per cent of school leavers who went on to university chose to do so in the UK, down from 45 per cent in 2023 and 44 per cent in 2022. A majority of schools believe a leading factor in this is the UK cost of living and cost of university.
Speaking about the results, COBIS CEO Colin Bell said: 鈥淐OBIS Member Schools are diverse, dynamic, and thriving. The 2024 Annual Research Survey report demonstrates how schools continue to adapt to face the challenges and opportunities of an evolving educational landscape, including priorities such as wellbeing, mental health, responsible use of AI, curriculum reform, teacher supply, , and more.
“COBIS is committed to supporting and empowering all British international schools, reaching and connecting school communities as they work to develop students who will have a positive impact on society.鈥
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