The last Exceutive Committee meeting was on 23.1.12 in Madrid. Items on the agenda included the organisation of the annual conference, the development of the "UK-Spain education village" exhibition, a meeting of the ethics committee, professional development, IPSEF conference, British Schools Overseas inspection scheme and school membership.

As part of the continuing professional development provided by NABSS, a group of school leaders and teachers attended a one day course on emotional intelligence, facilitated by Janice Haywood, director of Business Learning Solutions. This training course covered all the fundamental competencies within E.I. and by employing extensive and elaborate exercises, prepared the participants to face real life issues armed with new emotional and practical skills.It proved to be a very worthwhile day for all those who attended.

Debbie Hepplewhite 

Debbie Hepplewhite is an independent consultant, writer, synthetic phonics expert and inspirational speaker. She is an ex-headteacher with over 20 years’ teaching experience and is an advisor to the UK Reading Reform Foundation Committee.

Oxford University Press will be organizing a synthetic phonics training day in Madrid on Monday the 5th of March ( the day after NABSS conference). 

On Thursday 15 September 2011, the Pas resident of NABSS was invited to the House of Lords for a reception promoting the Inspections for British Schools Overseas. The event was hosted by Lord Lexden and organised by COBIS and the DFE.

Present were representatives from the DFE, UKTI, the 6 recognised inspectorate bodies, representatives from schools groups and two schools that have been through the new inspection system.

Michael Gove made a short speech about the importance of British education worldwide and the values and creativity associated with the British "brand". He also spoke of the need, for parents and the educational community, for a worldwide recognised British inspection scheme in order to ensure good educational standards across all British schools.

COBIS and the DFE have worked hard in getting the new voluntary inspection system off the ground and NABSS was pleased to be present at the launch event. This was principally in recognition of the national inspection system we have developed within Spain, which has the potential to gain international recognition.