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.

The British School of Barcelona is the first NABSS school to be inspected under the new system. A  team of 6 Cambridge Education inspectors carried out the inspection, lead by Brian Openheim and Penny Holden, whom members will have met at the NABSS conference last year in Alicante. Inspection reports of all the schools being inspected under the scheme are available on the DFE website.

NABSS member schools will have an opportunity to discuss the new inspection system further at the next NABSS conference in March 2012.