IB & Cambridge International School Planning Support
Planning and readiness support for schools considering an international curriculum. The IB (International Baccalaureate) and Cambridge (Cambridge International) are separate organisations with different authorisation / registration processes — we help you plan governance, curriculum readiness, staffing and facilities for the pathway you choose.
Guidance led by professionals with more than 20 years of institutional experience.
What international-school planning support covers
We support the planning and readiness work that sits behind an IB or Cambridge application — the authorisation / registration decision itself always rests with the respective organisation.
Feasibility & positioning
Demand study, programme-mix thinking and admissions / brand inputs.
Governance & policy
Governance structure and the policies and handbooks these systems expect.
Facilities planning
Space, laboratory and library planning for the chosen programmes.
Staffing & training roadmap
Leadership and teacher-training planning aligned to the organisation’s requirements.
Application readiness
Support with the self-study / application documentation for your pathway.
Visit readiness
Mock reviews and readiness for the authorisation / verification visit.
IB and Cambridge are not the same system
They are distinct international education organisations with different structures, terminology and processes. We plan around the specific pathway you choose.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Programmes such as PYP, MYP and the Diploma Programme, with an IB authorisation process.
Cambridge (Cambridge International)
Stages such as Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary and IGCSE, with a Cambridge registration process.
Preliminary readiness (indicative)
Indicative planning guidance only. The actual criteria, terminology and process are defined by the IB or by Cambridge and must be checked directly with the respective organisation.
Institution & governance
- A registered entity and a clear school-governance structure
- Leadership committed to the chosen programme’s philosophy and standards
- A realistic implementation and funding plan
Academic & facilities (indicative)
- Curriculum-readiness planning for the chosen programmes
- Facilities, laboratories and library suited to the programmes
- Safeguarding, inclusion and assessment policies
Defined by IB / Cambridge
- Authorisation / registration steps and timelines differ between the two organisations
- Teacher-training and programme requirements are set by the organisation
- Terminology and documentation differ by pathway
- All planning items must be verified with the respective organisation
Documents & materials generally prepared
- Registered-entity and school-governance documents
- Implementation, staffing and funding plan
- Policy set (safeguarding, inclusion, assessment, language, admissions)
- Curriculum-readiness and programme-planning documentation
- Facilities and resource details for the chosen programmes
- Self-study / application materials for the chosen pathway
The exact materials, formats and terminology are defined by the IB or by Cambridge. Treat this list as indicative and confirm directly with the respective organisation.
How international-school planning typically progresses
Feasibility & pathway choice
Demand and positioning study and choosing between (or sequencing) IB and Cambridge.
Governance & entity readiness
Entity and governance structure and an implementation and funding plan.
Policy & curriculum readiness
Preparing the policies, handbooks and curriculum-readiness documentation expected.
Facilities & staffing
Facilities planning and a leadership and teacher-training roadmap.
Application & self-study
Support with the self-study / application materials for the chosen organisation.
Visit readiness
Mock reviews and readiness for the authorisation / verification visit.
Common planning risks for international schools
- Treating IB and Cambridge as interchangeable systems
- Under-estimating governance, policy and documentation expectations
- Facilities or resources not aligned to the chosen programmes
- Teacher-training roadmap not planned early enough
- Weak curriculum-readiness or self-study preparation
- Assuming a fixed timeline rather than the organisation’s actual process
How Legal SR Worlds assists
- Feasibility, positioning and pathway-choice guidance (IB and / or Cambridge)
- Governance-structure and implementation-plan support
- Policy, handbook and curriculum-readiness documentation support
- Facilities planning and teacher-training roadmap inputs
- Support organising self-study / application materials
- Mock reviews and visit-readiness support
Legal SR Worlds provides advisory, documentation and preparation support. Final approval, recognition, affiliation or registration remains subject to eligibility, documentation, inspection and the decision of the relevant authority.
Frequently asked questions
Are IB and Cambridge the same thing?
Which one should our school choose?
Do you authorise or certify schools?
How long does authorisation / registration take?
What is usually the biggest area to prepare?
Can you guarantee authorisation?
Related services
Discuss Your International School Plan
Tell us whether you are considering IB, Cambridge or both, and your current stage. We will review your plan and outline the governance, curriculum and readiness steps — with authorisation always resting with the respective organisation.
Preliminary reviews are guided by Dr. Sudhir Pawar and a team with more than 20 years of institutional experience.
Final approval, recognition, affiliation or registration remains subject to eligibility, documentation, inspection and the decision of the relevant authority. This page is informational and does not constitute a guarantee of outcome.
