Reflections on Hosting the Council of International Schools Evaluators at Rusinga Schools

This week at Rusinga Schools, we have had the honour of hosting evaluators from the Council of International Schools (CIS) as they conduct our reaccreditation visit. It has been a wonderful experience, both invigorating and reflective, as we engage in this critical process. Accreditation is a pivotal aspect for any international school, enabling us to benchmark our standards against the highest global norms, while also providing our community with the assurance of our commitment to continuous improvement and to the ideals of global citizenship. As a school, we strive to align our practices with the best international frameworks, and the CIS evaluation offers an invaluable opportunity to do just that.

The process of international accreditation, particularly with an organisation like CIS, goes beyond mere formalities. It represents a commitment to educational values and priorities that align closely with Rusinga’s ethos. Like other accrediting bodies, CIS’s approach is centred on several key drivers: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Learning, Student Safety and Wellbeing, and Quality Teaching and Learning. These areas form the backbone of CIS’s evaluation standards, and they resonate deeply with the values we uphold here at Rusinga. Each of these elements represents an aspect of school life that extends beyond the classroom, shaping how our students perceive and engage with the world.

For Rusinga Schools, Global Citizenship is more than just a concept; it is woven into the fabric of our curriculum and our community. In an increasingly interconnected world, our students must not only understand the diversity of cultures and perspectives but also respect and appreciate them. This principle is at the heart of multicultural learning, a focus that CIS highlights as essential for developing global citizens. At Rusinga, we actively encourage our students to view themselves as members of a global community, fostering inclusivity, tolerance, and empathy. Through our emphasis on sustainability and the global Sustainable Development Goals, we prepare students not just to succeed in their immediate environment but to contribute meaningfully to a larger, shared future.

Student Safety and Wellbeing, another core area of CIS’s focus, is an aspect we take with the utmost seriousness at Rusinga. In today’s world, safeguarding and mental health support are paramount. Our recent Mental Health Week, themed ‘Express Yourself,’ gave students and staff a platform for open expression, nurturing a community that values emotional well-being as much as academic achievement. By prioritising a safe and supportive school environment, we ensure that our students have the best possible conditions in which to learn, grow, and thrive.

Quality Teaching and Learning, the final cornerstone of CIS’s approach, reflects the foundation of everything we do at Rusinga. We continuously work to improve the standards of instruction, using innovative methods and evidence-based practices to meet the diverse needs of our students. Our curriculum is dynamic, responsive, and reflective of best practices in education. To support this, we invest in professional development, ensuring our educators are well-equipped to inspire and challenge our students, preparing them for the complexities of the future. The reaccreditation process is an opportunity to critically assess our teaching methodologies and to identify areas where we can refine our practices further.

This visit from CIS has also had a personal significance for me, as I was honoured to lead Rusinga through the initial membership and accreditation process, culminating in our successful accreditation in 2021. It was a humbling journey then, as it is now, to see our school rise to meet rigorous international standards. Now, in my role as Head Teacher, I find myself on familiar ground, yet with a renewed perspective, as I guide our school community through the reaccreditation process. The journey from accreditation coordinator to Head Teacher has been one of growth and insight, reminding me of the value of reflection and adaptation in leadership.

As we undergo this reaccreditation preparatory visit, I am reminded that the CIS process is not just about ticking boxes or meeting criteria. It is a collaborative endeavour, one that engages all members of our school community, from the students who benefit from our programmes to the teachers and staff who bring them to life. Accreditation is a journey rather than a destination, and with each visit, we recommit ourselves to the values of quality, inclusivity, and responsibility. This week’s engagement with CIS evaluators has reinforced our dedication to maintaining and raising our standards, not only for ourselves but for the global community we aspire to serve.

In sharing this reflection with our school community, I hope to convey the depth of Rusinga’s commitment to excellence, as well as our gratitude for the support we receive from parents, students, and staff. Together, we are building a school where every child feels valued, every teacher feels empowered, and every community member feels that they belong.