Only schools which undertake to enhance and promote their European specificity can be accredited. This is achieved firstly, by guaranteeing to provide their pupils with the same type of education as that provided in the European Schools and secondly, by guaranteeing the equality of opportunity for pupils in terms of preparation for the European Baccalaureate in secondary years 6 and 7, through strict application of the provisions laid down by the Regulations pertaining to the European Baccalaureate (see the
).
The pedagogical equivalence, year group by year group, of the education provided by the Accredited European School and that provided by the European Schools must be ensured in such a way that it confers on pupils of Accredited European Schools the same rights as those granted to pupils of the European Schools by Article 5 of the
Convention defining the Statute of the European Schools signed at Luxembourg on 21 June 1994.
What are the stages of the accreditation procedure?
In accordance with the form appearing in Annex I of the
Regulations, the Member State presents a
General Interest File, setting out the project, explaining the reasons for it and describing the resources which it is prepared to deploy to carry out the project.
The General Interest File is discussed by the Joint Board of Inspectors who form an opinion on it. The File is then sent, accompanied by the opinion, to the Board of Governors of the European Schools. A two-thirds majority at the Board of Governors is needed for the file to be approved. .
If the Board of Governors’ opinion is positive, the school must then present a
Dossier of Conformity, in accordance with Annex II of the
Regulations.
The Dossier of Conformity is discussed by the Joint Teaching Committee who form an opinion on it. The Dossier is then sent, accompanied by the opinion, to the Board of Governors. A two-thirds majority at the Board of Governors is needed for the Dossier to be approved.
If the Board of Governors’ opinion on the Dossier of Conformity is positive, the school is then subject to an audit, conducted by representatives of the Joint Board of Inspectors. The audit is carried out during the first semester that the school is open.
The audit consists of a self-evaluation report sent by the school, analysis of the report and the school’s documents by an expert and an in-school audit carried out by a team of inspectors.
The audit team produces an audit report which is presented to the Joint Board of Inspectors for their opinion. The audit report is then sent to the Board of Governors who must approve it unanimously.
A unanimous decision to grant accreditation mandates the Secretary-General to sign the Accreditation Agreement.
For further information, please see Chapter II of ‘Accredited European Schools' in the
Regulations.
What is the purpose of the Accreditation Agreement?
The purpose of the
Accreditation Agreement is to provide a flexible link between two completely autonomous entities: the school seeking accreditation and the Board of Governors of the European Schools. This then ensures consistent and high standards of European education in the EU Member States.
The joint signing of the Accreditation Agreement by the school’s legal representative and the Secretary-General, representing the Board of Governors, testifies to the fact that the Board of Governors recognises the education provided by the accredited European school as being equivalent, year group by year group, to the courses of study offered by the European Schools.
This Agreement covers the European education provided at nursery and primary levels and at secondary level up to year 5. It is renewable every three years.
An
Additional Agreement covers the education provided in secondary years 6 and 7, thus opening up access to the European Baccalaureate. The Additional Agreement is renewable every three years.
