'British' proof for British schools

British schools in Dubai will now need to prove they really are British — not just in studies but in "ethos related to British culture." Fifty-four schools will be vetted in new British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspections on top of their annual checks by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The KHDA said in a statement on Wednesday that BSO inspections "enable parents, the school and other stakeholders to see how the school measures up against the standards that apply to independent schools in the UK, taking into account local requirements."It added: "To qualify for BSO inspection, schools must be able to demonstrate that their curriculum and ethos are related to British culture. If they meet the standards, they will be recognised by the DfE [Department for Education of England]… To be classified as ‘British' by KHDA, schools will need to undergo BSO inspections." The statement did not give details on exactly how the schools will have to show their British-ness beyond the curriculum they offer.