School improvement and accountability
Strengthening school quality through improvement, inspection, and evaluation
Improving school quality at scale is one of the most persistent challenges in education.
Schools and system leaders need reliable ways to understand performance, identify priorities, and demonstrate progress. Yet accountability and improvement are often disconnected. Review and inspection processes can become focused on compliance, while improvement initiatives can struggle to gain traction or sustain momentum.
For governments, regulators, and school groups, the challenge is even greater. Raising standards consistently across multiple schools requires clear expectations, robust quality assurance, strong leadership, and the capacity to turn evidence into action.
Our vision
Every learner deserves a high-quality education delivered by an effective school.
We believe improvement happens when schools have strong leadership, high-quality teaching, inclusive cultures, and meaningful accountability.
Inspection, accreditation, and quality assurance should not simply measure performance. They should help schools understand their strengths, identify priorities, and create the conditions for continuous improvement.
How we create value
We help education systems create the conditions for sustained improvement by combining school improvement expertise with inspection, accreditation, and quality assurance. Our approach focuses on helping leaders understand performance, strengthen practice, and build the capability needed to improve over time. Our work includes:
- school and system reviews that identify strengths, priorities, and opportunities for improvement
- inspection and quality assurance frameworks that support accountability and continuous improvement
- inspector training and capacity building to strengthen quality assurance systems
- accreditation programmes that recognise quality and support development
- school self-evaluation and improvement planning to drive ongoing improvement
- leadership, governance, and organisational development that builds the capacity for sustainable change.
Driving improvement through evidence, quality, and accountability
Inspection system design and reform
We work with ministries and education authorities to develop and strengthen inspection frameworks, methodologies, and quality assurance systems. This includes designing inspection standards, review processes, and evidence-based approaches that help ensure consistency, accountability, and impact across education systems.
School evaluation and improvement (ISQM)
The International Schools Quality Mark (ISQM) recognises schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement. Through an independent review process, ISQM helps schools evaluate their performance, celebrate strengths, and identify opportunities to further enhance teaching, learning, and leadership.
International inspection and accreditation services (BSO)
As an approved British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection provider, we inspect British international schools against standards set by the UK Department for Education. BSO inspection provides independent assurance of educational quality while helping schools identify priorities for ongoing improvement and development.
Inspector training and professional development (RCQM)
Our Reviewer Competency Quality Mark (RCQM) training builds the skills and confidence of inspectors through training, coaching, and practical support. We help inspection teams develop expertise in school evaluation, evidence collection, reporting, and improvement planning, creating sustainable capacity within education systems.
What sets EDT apart is our ability to connect accountability with improvement. We do more than simply assess performance. We help schools and systems build the capability, culture, and structures needed to sustain progress over time.
Our approach brings together:
- deep education sector expertise
- practical experience of inspection and evaluation systems
- strong capability in quality assurance and school improvement
- experience working with governments, ministries, and international schools
- a focus on using evidence to improve outcomes for children and young people.
CASE STUDY
Driving school improvement through inspection and accountability in Dubai
Latest insights and research
All of our work is driven and informed by evidence. We invest in research, generate deep insights, and apply evidence to shape better decisions in policy and practice, drive impact, and improve outcomes globally. We combine our respected research with real-world experience and extensive programme and impact evaluations to share insights on what works and to contribute to the dialogue on improving education and skills provision worldwide.
How to navigate the accountability landscape as an international or independent school leader
Evidence-based policy levers for school improvement
School leaders and teachers need more support: insights from Behaviour Hubs applications data
Collaborative behaviour improvement in schools: implications for global policymakers
Accountability mechanisms and the improvement of private schools in Dubai
Improving school attendance by fostering a sense of community belonging
The role of evidence in the improvement of school systems
Making external school review effective
Change agents: case studies on middle-tier instructional leadership
Teacher management in refugee settings: Ethiopia
edt and Stichting leerKRACHT launch strategic partnership to advance collaborative school improvement in the Netherlands
Building effective education systems for scaling: frameworks, ingredients, and implementation
Our work in school improvement and inspections
Let's work together
From school improvement to system accountability, we help partners create the conditions for lasting improvement. Talk to us about your priorities.
Speak to our specialist
Shravan leads strategic growth, programme delivery, and partnerships across the Middle East and ASEAN, with over 20 years’ experience delivering large-scale education reform and skills programmes globally. He has a proven track record of delivering complex, high-impact programmes in partnership with governments and development organisations.