HIGHLIGHTS

PRINCIPAL REPORT

From the College Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

 

Last year, the senior leadership of the College decided to embark upon a long-term (and continuing) school improvement process.

This process involves Brighton Secondary College becoming an accredited member of the Council of International Schools (CIS). 

 

The CIS applies a rigorous, standards-based assessment and feedback process, in which schools need to meet specific benchmarks to gain membership.

 

We took this decision because the CIS provides an excellent improvement process, and that membership would complement our school Mission, Vision and Values perfectly.

 

The award of CIS International Accreditation demonstrates that a school, by objective independent assessment, meet a series of rigorous standards which demonstrate outstanding school quality.

 

Additionally, accreditation and membership will provide the College with support and access to like-minded professional peers, as well as assist us in the development of appropriately challenging programmes for our students by 

•  allowing access to new international educational practices, 

•  giving recognition for accomplishments, 

•  facilitating student connections with leading universities around the world, 

•  and by providing a quality international education experience to students and parents.

 

The accreditation process uses self-reflection, detailed external observation, and feedback, to drive ongoing, whole-school improvement.

Every aspect of the college operations is considered, in what the CIS refer to as the following domains:

  1. Purpose and Direction
  2. Governance Leadership and Ownership
  3. The Curriculum
  4. Teaching and Assessing for Learning
  5. The Students’ Learning and Wellbeing
  6. Staffing
  7. Premises and Physical Accommodation
  8. Community and Home Partnerships
  9. Boarding/Homestay/Residential 

We completed the membership evaluation process in late December 2020. This involved producing a detailed self- evaluation against the domains above, and which culminated in a virtual visit by CIS evaluators. Through this, we successfully gained CIS Membership. 

 

This week, the College underwent a lengthy and detailed Preparatory Evaluation visit, and in doing so, completed the second part of the accreditation process. A team of two CIS evaluators visited the school (remotely) for four days and observed lessons, as well as conducting detailed interviews with members of staff, students and College Council in respect to the standards domains.

 

They will produce a report, which will guide a self-study which the College will undertake over approximately 18 months. This will lead to a final Accreditation visit during which 8-10 CIS evaluators will spend a week in the College to verify that we have met all the standards in each domain. We hope to have achieved accreditation by mid-2023.

 

I hope this gives you an idea of the detail and rigor of the process we have begun. During the self-study phase, we well be inviting all parts of our community to have input into the work, and I look forward to engaging with many of you through this work.

 

We are confident that through this work, we will enable Brighton to become a truly world-class school.

 

Finally, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to the staff, students and parents who volunteered their time to be involved in this week’s preparatory evaluation. The evaluators were extremely complimentary of all involved, and also wanted me to pass on their thanks.

 

Yours sincerely, 

Richard Minack 

Principal