Amid the flurry of announcements from the UK government around new measures to curb the coronavirus was the suggestion that schools will not close again.

Whether this is true remains to be seen, but it would offer a degree of consistency for educators, pupils and their families.

But for students at British international schools around the world, the situation can be very different.

Exams 2021: A level playing field for international schools?

They are subject to the decisions made by the governments in the countries in which they are based that will all be totally unique to their context, setting and circumstances.

As a result, students at these schools - whether they are British nationals, locals from the host country or from other nations - face the prospect of a totally different educational experience in the months ahead compared with pupils in England.

This, in itself, may be OK - after all, teachers are already getting highly skilled at delivering solid remote and blended lessons.

But the key issue is that it could present a hugely uneven playing field when next year’s exams roll around at (i)GCSE, (i)A level and BTEC.

This is an issue that must be dealt with now.

Communication from exam boards

While questions abound at the moment regarding timings for 2021 examinations, and the future of high-stakes assessment more generally, exams boards should also be considering the challenges for their diverse international centres.

Should international students realistically be asked to sit standardised exams when the likelihood is that many of them will have had access to markedly different levels and schedules of face-to-face teaching and learning. 

I am concerned that this issue is not really on the radar of those who need to be aware of it and of those who need to ensure that measures are put in place to address this.

The exam boards, for one, should be clearly demonstrating that they are aware of this issue and providing reassurances that they are considering how to address this in the months ahead.

No one expects a plan now, or next week, but international schools need acknowledgment that the issue is recognised and is being addressed.

So far, though, elements of exam boards’ communications strategy have not been great.

For example, over the past few months many have been putting out announcements on their websites, as opposed to direct emails to examination centres, at a time when most of those who need to see it are asleep because they’re in another part of the world.

With this example, there’s room for improvement.

Students’ futures are at stake

Overall, we’re all aware of the huge international market for British education that exists. That’s why a concerted effort is required to ensure that it’s not overlooked. 

Reducing examination uncertainty is vital to safeguarding the mental health and wellbeing of students, teachers and heads as we continue to help school communities in our vibrant British international schools sector to thrive. 

Representing its members and the wider sector, COBIS continues to raise this issue through the necessary channels in government to offer advice and to highlight our concerns for the future.

But what would be great is to see some positive, public-facing commitment from the powers that be to show that they recognise the uncertain future facing international schools and their teachers, parents and, most importantly, pupils.

After all, this is their future that is at stake - we must show them we are taking it seriously.

Colin Bell is the CEO of COBIS, which represents around 300 schools in over 80 countries worldwide