Recent developments in the international education sector have brought quality, transparency and student protection into sharper focus.
In a special edition of QE Talks, representatives from independent English language schools and FELCA (Federation of Education and Language Consultant Associations) come together to discuss what it takes to build and maintain trust.
Trust at the heart of international education
Trust has always been fundamental to international education.
For students and their families, choosing an English language school means investing not only in education, but also in an experience abroad. For education agents, it means recommending institutions they believe will deliver on their promises, provide excellent student care and respond responsibly when challenges arise.
Recent school closures across the international education sector have understandably raised concerns about reliability, financial stability and student protection.
They have also highlighted an important distinction: academic quality, accreditation and financial protection are closely connected to trust, but they are not the same thing.
Accreditation provides independent recognition of educational standards, while financial protection arrangements may offer specific safeguards if a school is unable to deliver its services. Understanding both is essential when making informed decisions.
At the same time, trust goes beyond formal credentials. It is built through communication, transparency, accountability and the relationships between schools, agents and students.
What should education agents look for in a school partner?
In today’s evolving landscape, education agents have an important role in helping students and families choose institutions with confidence.
Alongside accreditation and reputation, there are several questions worth considering:
- How does the school demonstrate its commitment to quality and student care?
- What student protection arrangements are in place, and what do they cover?
- How transparent are the school’s policies on payments, cancellations and refunds?
- How accessible and responsive is the school’s management team?
- How does the school maintain strong, reliable relationships with its education agent partners?
These questions are not about creating uncertainty. They are about encouraging informed choices and building stronger partnerships.
Trust should not simply be claimed. It should be demonstrated.
The value of personal relationships and independent schools
Independent English language schools have an important role to play in international education.
Many offer close relationships with their students and education agent partners, direct access to decision-makers and the flexibility to respond to individual needs.
These characteristics can make a meaningful difference, particularly when circumstances change or students require additional support.
Of course, independent ownership alone does not guarantee financial stability. What matters is how schools demonstrate quality, communicate openly and take responsibility for the experiences they provide.
At Quality English, our carefully selected network of independent, accredited English language schools reflects a shared commitment to high standards, personalised education and trusted international partnerships.
QE Talks Special Edition: Quality & Trust
🎙️ How can schools build and maintain trust? What do education agents really need from their school partners? And why do personal relationships, flexibility and reliability matter more than ever?
These are some of the questions explored in our latest QE Talks Special Edition: Quality & Trust.
Hosted by Jonathan Swindell, Chief Executive of Quality English, the episode brings together three experienced voices from across international education:
- Neil Harris, Director of Academic Development and Teacher Training at CELT – Centre for English Language Teaching
- David Ganly, Managing Director at Future Learning
- Paolo Barilari, President of FELCA and owner of LNM Lingue nel Mondo
Bringing together perspectives from independent schools and FELCA, the Federation of Education and Language Consultant Associations, the conversation explores the importance of quality, the expectations agents have of their school partners and the role of personal relationships in building lasting confidence.
It is an opportunity to reflect on what makes partnerships work, how schools can respond to changing expectations and why trust remains central to the future of international education.
Explore the episode on QE Talks
Building confidence together
International education depends on strong relationships between schools, education agents, students and the wider community.
Accreditation, quality assurance and appropriate student protection arrangements all contribute to informed decision-making. But equally important are the everyday actions that build confidence: clear communication, responsiveness, transparency and a genuine commitment to student wellbeing.
At Quality English, we believe that maintaining high standards and strengthening relationships are shared responsibilities.
