Moving to a different country - but the school stays familiar According to the Council of International Schools (CIS), an estimated 2,000 schools offer a British curriculum, but more expat families opt for an international school with a standardised exam system such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). CIS accreditation is one mark of excellence to look for, but only a handful of schools are covered by the British Independent Schools Inspectorate. The British Schools Group (BSG) operates in eight locations including The King's School, Manila; the British School of Guangzhou in China; and the British School of Nanjing. At The King's School, where expat students make up almost two-thirds of the classes, English qualifications and activities are a key part of school life. "Questions regarding class size, general level of English in the class and opportunities for extracurricular activities are always paramount during meetings with new parents," says Anastasia Ramazanova, of the BSG. There is growing potential for "school chains" such as the BSG to expand further. Emerging markets for international schools include China and the Gulf region, especially Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where competition for places at international schools can be fierce. North Africa is also emerging as a growth region for private British education. British companies are best placed to cater for British expat needs, so it's no surprise that many British schools are considering expanding overseas. Dulwich College already has three branches in China, as well as an outpost in Kenya. Nord Anglia has been operating international schools since 1992 and has branches in Abu Dhabi, Bratislava, Budapest, Lausanne, Prague, Warsaw and three schools in Asia. Harrow has branches in Thailand and Beijing, and a new branch in Hong Kong is on the cards. Along with New York, Dwight schools are in British Columbia, Beijing and London. Its new Seoul branch has 328 students representing 27 nationalities. Around 40 per cent of the student body can be classed as international. Head teacher Kevin Skeoch points out that, far from being an inconvenience, an international education can be a privilege for expat children. "International schools have lower student-teacher ratios, are selective and cater to the specific needs of their clients," he said. "The perceived 'elite" status of attending an international school has as much to do with being different as it does finding a balance in children's lives." As with many international schools, classes are conducted in English. Local students are happy with this, as English is seen as the preferred language for Koreans hoping to study abroad. "South Korean students know that they will broaden their prospects by studying at a school which is truly international - parents reported that other schools were 'too American, too Korean or too Christian,"" said Peta Nicholas, Dwight's marketing and communications manager in London. Sherborne School, in Dorset, has branched out into Qatar, where competition for good schools is tough. Patron Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Thani, a member of the region's royal family, is said to be an Anglophile and has spent summers in Reading, Oxford and Aberdeen. In addition, Repton School, in Derbyshire, has a branch in Dubai, while Haileybury school opened in Kazakhstan in 2008. So where does an expat parent start? Of course, the best schools get booked up so it is vital to plan ahead. And when it comes to choosing a school, your options will, of course, be limited according to where you are based. Advice from fellow expat families will be invaluable. "If you are applying within the year before your child is due to start school, then it's advised that you apply to at least two or three schools, as it's highly likely you will be waiting-listed and may not get your first choice," says Claire Glasby, an expat mother and the editor of Time Out Dubai. Zoriana Benhamou, an expat mother currently living in Spain, says that while international schools are selective, the application process is fairly straightforward. Our children had to take a psychological exam and do some basic tasks - and they were only five! But then we simply paid the deposit and waited for an acceptance letter. Her children attend Laude San Pedro International School, Marbella, originally a branch of King's College in the UK. To compare schools around the world, visit The Telegraph International Schools database