Lagos Preparatory School

The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) recognises Lagos Preparatory School as one of 33 Executive member schools,[3] noting that Lagos Prep "remains the only school in Africa in both IAPS and COBIS."[4] Aside from the British International School in Cairo and the Maadi British International School, also in Cairo, Lagos Prep is the only school in Africa that is COBIS-accredited; the others are in various European countries, Brunei, China, the Middle East and Turkey.[3]

In February 2011, following an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the school claims, it became the first British School in Africa to meet the UK Department for Education (DfE)'s current standards for British Overseas Schools.[5] The DfE does in fact recognise Lagos Preparatory School as one of only 12 overseas schools that satisfy its "standards required for continuing registration as a school in England."[6] Lagos Prep is the only African school that DfE lists; the others are in the Middle East, China, France, Spain, Czech Republic and Malaysia.[6]

The ISI makes available its Integrated Handbook Framework both for the use of inspectors in their reporting and to assist schools in helping them to address deficiencies and to reach the ISI-required standard for accreditation.[7] The DfE's 2011 school inspection report recommended that Lagos Preparatory School "establish consistent and secure analysis of pupil performance data, to identify rates of progress and ensure that pupils are reaching their maximum potential" and "put in place measures rigorously to evaluate and improve the quality of teaching and learning, particularly in Years 2 to 7."[8]

The school's executive staff includes the headmaster, 77 faculty and 35 supporting staff.[9]

The school is in Ikoyi, a suburb of Lagos which formerly housed the British colonial administration of Nigeria and which is now affordable only for people extremely wealthy by Nigerian standards, typically Nigerian government and military officers, as well as foreign oil and telecommunications company executives.[10]

Parents must pay a fee of $9,000 per year[11] plus $270 a year for required school uniforms, swimwear and clothing for physical education.[12]

In 2004, the Oxford Nursery and Primary School in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State received a stocked library from the pupils of the Lagos Preparatory School. Funds had been raised by "taxes" of 100 Naira each (about 60 cents US) paid by the children on days when the school permitted students not to wear the uniforms usually required.[13]