A Global Education Passport:
Why British Schools Are Thriving Worldwide in 2025
Why would a Japanese parent in Jakarta, a Nigerian entrepreneur in Dubai, and an Indonesian doctor in Bali all choose a British school for their children? The answer has surprisingly little to do with Britain.
In Jakarta and across Asia, British international schools are thriving — not only in London or Oxford, but in global hubs across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Many of the families choosing them have no historical ties to the UK. What they’re seeking is something deeply contemporary: clarity, academic rigour, good manners, and the kind of calm that doesn’t require a mindfulness app.
1. Structure Without Confusion
The British curriculum offers a clear, linear path — from the EYFS in Early Years through Key Stages and onward to IGCSEs and A Levels. Unlike newer frameworks built for flexibility, this model has coherence and rhythm. It travels well, and families know what to expect. This predictability isn’t boring — it’s reassuring. Especially for families moving between cities or continents, a familiar structure is an anchor.
| Curriculum | Approximate Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English National Curriculum | ≈ 52% | Includes iGCSE, A-Level, and British-style prep schools. The most widely used curriculum globally. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | ≈ 28% | Offered mainly in premium schools; growing worldwide. |
| US Curriculum | ≈ 19% | Popular in the Middle East, Latin America, and East Asia. |
| Other / Hybrid Systems | ≈ 15% | Includes Canadian, Indian (CBSE), French, and blended programmes. |
Source: ISC Research 2023; Pearson 2024. Figures exceed 100% as many schools offer multiple pathways.
The English National Curriculum (ENC) is the education framework used by most British international schools. It sets out what pupils should learn at each stage — from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through Key Stages 1–5, including IGCSE and A Level qualifications in secondary years. Several well-known providers deliver the ENC internationally:
Cambridge International – offers IGCSE and A Level exams, following ENC standards.
Pearson Edexcel – another UK-awarding body for IGCSEs and A Levels.
OxfordAQA – a partnership between Oxford University Press and AQA, aligning with the same British benchmarks.
These are not separate curricula — they’re different exam boards and pathways within the same English system. Together, these “British-style” programmes make up more than half of all international schools worldwide, reflecting their clarity, rigour, and strong university recognition.
2. Results Without the Noise
Some schools promise innovation; others quietly deliver outcomes. British independent-style schools lean toward the latter.
Take Emily. She joined one of our founder schools aged eight, after struggling in a large international school of 1,500 students. She was clever but shy - easily overlooked. Within a few years in a smaller, calmer environment, she’d grown into herself. On her final day she sang a solo at Speech Day and later went on to Cheltenham Ladies’ College. There was no radical transformation - just steady growth supported by people who noticed her.
“this is the happiest school I have ever known… I will be forever grateful for the chances that it gave my girls” - Parent, Parent Survey
Benchmark data that actually means something
In recent GL Education assessments at ISJ, Year 7 pupils achieved mean Standard Age Scores of English 122, Maths 118.7, Science 119.7, Reading 113.1 and Spelling 116.7 — placing our pupils firmly amongst the top 10% of international schools globally.*
Source: ISJ Insights – How ISJ Measures Success: GL Assessments Explained
3. Serious but Also Caring
British schools are often described as “serious but warm.” The phrase risks becoming cliché — but when done well, it’s true.
Vincent is a good example. He started average in maths and, between ages 7 and 10, faced a serious blood-vessel disease that kept him out of sports. The school didn’t rush him, but they didn’t let him drift either. By Year 10, he was in the top 1% for maths and a starting player on the basketball team. He’s now the one asking thoughtful questions, chatting confidently with visitors, and quietly excelling without showing off.
4. The New Face of British Education
The families choosing these schools are often Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Nigerian, or Indian — first-generation global professionals, entrepreneurs, and diplomats seeking an education that is both demanding and decent.
They’re not all aiming for Oxbridge either. Owen (from one of The Schools Trust’s founder schools) is at Monash; Jamie is at Toronto; Sean is planning for the US. What they share isn’t destination — it’s values.
The Changing Face of British Education
In 2022–23, the UK hosted around 758,000 international students, reflecting the global pull of British education. While Britain remains the academic destination of choice for many, the faces in its lecture halls are increasingly diverse.
India was the largest source, with approximately 173,000 students (about a quarter of all international enrolments).
China followed closely with around 154,000 students, continuing its long-standing presence in UK higher education.
Nigeria ranked third, highlighting the growing demand for British qualifications across Africa.
Together, these three countries represent a new generation of globally mobile families - the same international outlook that defines the leading British international schools across the world.
5. Schools with Shared Standards, Not Just a Shared Brand
Lots of international schools say they’re “based on the British model.” Few actually carry its DNA.
ISJ’s leadership includes people who’ve helped define British independent education. Emma Webb, the Founding Head, previously led Queen’s College Prep in London. Today ISJ is led by Eileen Fisher, formerly Head of the Junior School at Ipswich High and mentor to dozens of heads across the GDST. She brings not just experience but depth — a sense of how calm, clear expectations shape everything from feedback to corridor conduct.
Eileen Fisher at The Independent School of Jakarta
These aren’t symbolic affiliations; they shape daily practice. ISJ shares inspectors, training networks, and often even suppliers with UK independents. It’s not mimicry — it’s kinship.
6. What Parents Actually Want
Parents want their child to feel safe, happy, and known by their teachers. They want them stretched without stress, to build confidence and character, and to discover what they’re good at. Most of all, they want to feel their child is in the right place — growing into themselves.
[Photo Placeholder: ISJ pupils collaborating in class]
7. Growth, Quietly
British curriculum schools now make up the largest segment of the global international school market. Over 10,000 schools across 160+ countries use it — and while growth has slowed, quality-focused demand keeps rising. These schools don’t shout. But they work.
8. A Calm Place to Grow Up
In the end, that’s what these schools offer: not flash, not slogans — but a calm place to grow up. A school where your child is known. Nudged. Challenged. Allowed to speak up, sit still, write well, and behave decently. They’re not chasing headlines - just sending out young people who know how to carry themselves with confidence and without noise. For many families, that’s enough.
The Independent School of Jakarta (ISJ) is Jakarta's leading British school for children aged 2–13, delivering the gold-standard English National Curriculum. Driven by our hand-picked teachers from top UK independent schools, our pupils consistently achieve remarkably high academic scores.
Discover how ISJ brings authentic British preparatory education to life in Jakarta — with UK-qualified teachers, proven results, and a joyful community.