Introduction

Mohammad Ismail

Imam of BCM/ School Inspector ISP/Safeguarding and Community Cohesion

Consultant in CYPD Sheffield

The framework for inspecting education in independent schools

www.ofsted.gov.uk

The basis for inspectionsThe legal requirements for registration and inspection of independent schools

Section 157 of the Education Act 2002 specifies that regulations setting out the standards that independent schools must meet should be made on the following matters:the quality of education provided by the schoolthe spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupilsthe welfare, health and safety of pupilsthe suitability of proprietor and staffthe school's premises and accommodationthe provision of information for parents, carers and othersthe procedures for handling complaints.

The inspection of an independent school is carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

The purpose of inspectionThe Education and Inspections Act 2006 sets out three overriding considerations which Ofsted is now required to bear in mind in everything it does: to promote improvement in the services it inspects or regulates;to ensure that these services focus on the interests of children, parents, adult learners and employers who use them; andto see that these services are as efficient and effective as possible.The framework for inspecting independent schools reflects these aims.

Inspector’s code of conductInspectors are required to uphold the highest professional standards in their work and to ensure that everyone they encounter during inspections is treated fairly and with respect. These standards are assured through a code of conduct which requires inspectors to:evaluate objectively, be impartial and inspect without fear or favourevaluate provision in line with frameworks, national standards or requirementsbase all evaluations on clear and robust evidencehave no connection with the provider which could undermine their objectivityreport honestly and clearly, ensuring that judgements are fair and reliable

carry out their work with integrity, treating all those they meet with courtesy, respect and sensitivityendeavour to minimise the stress on those involved in the inspectionact in the best interests and well-being of service usersmaintain purposeful and productive dialogue with those being inspected, and communicate judgements clearly and franklyrespect the confidentiality of information, particularly about individuals and their workrespond appropriately to reasonable requests take prompt and appropriate action on any safeguarding or health and safety issues.

Full S162 A InspectionLTI InspectionPM VisitAnnounced VisitUnannounced VisitNew School Registration Visit

The Registration Visit For New Independent Schools

What happens to new schools?

Proprietors wishing to open a new school must apply to the DCSF for registration. They will be asked to supply the information set out in Statutory Instrument 2003 No.1934 The Education (Provision of Information by Independent Schools) (England) Regulations 2003.

Proprietors must also provide evidence of the school’s ability to meet the standards required by Statutory Instrument 2003 No.1910 The Education (Independent Schools Standards) (England) Regulations 2003.

Once registered, a new school will receive an inspection in the first year after its registration and will be expected to complete and keep updated a School Information and Evaluation Form (SIEF). From September 2009 all inspection reports on new schools will be published on Ofsted’s website.

Dear [HEADTEACHER NAME] Registration Application I am writing on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (HMCI) to confirm that your school will be visited under section 162A of the Education Act 2005 on [date of visit] and the inspector [name of lead inspector] is expected to arrive at [start time].

Independent school inspection

General guidance for schools on the inspection process and completion of the school information and self-evaluation form (SIEF)

Schools are not expected to prepare anything extra for inspectors, but should make the following documents available during the inspection:a printed copy of the completed SIEF (for new schools self audit checklist form)the school prospectus, including the Early Years Foundation Stage prospectus if appropriateclass lists showing pupils’ names and national curriculum year groupsin the case of tutorial colleges, timetables of each of the students who are of compulsory school age

records of pupils’ attainment and progressfor pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, their statements of special educational needs, annual reviews and individual education plansfor pupils who are looked after, their individual files including personal education plans and pathway plans, as well as reviews of progressreports and other information provided to parents and, where appropriate, placing authoritiescurriculum plans, timetables and schemes of work

school policy documents (as per regulations), including:curriculum, teaching, assessment and other supporting policiesadmissions, discipline and exclusionsbehaviour and sanctions adoptedprevention of bullyingsafeguarding children in education, including child protectionfirst aid and medicationhealth and safetyhealth and safety on educational visits

admission and attendance registers records of any accidents, incidents and exclusions that have taken placerecords of child protection training undertaken by named officers and all staffrecords of first aid training undertaken by staffrecords of any other training undertaken, for example in relation to the use of physical restraintdetails of induction training for new staff

health and safety checks carried out to meet regulations, including risk assessmentsrecords of fire safety checks and risk assessments and the training carried out to meet regulationscentral register showing records of checks made on all staff for suitability to work with children, including confirmation of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks (inspectors will expect to have access to staff personnel files)where appropriate, a list including roles, responsibilities and qualifications for those staff working within the Early Years Foundation Stage

the complaints policy and records of complaintsa Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) written accessibility planmost recent reports by other inspectorates (for example, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) or the British Accreditation Council (BAC))school improvement plan (if available)records of the school’s own monitoring of the quality of education or evaluations carried out by others (if available)information on each child being cared for in the Early Years Foundation Stage (see page 38 of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)provider’s records for the Early Years Foundation Stage (see page 40 of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

where relevant, the achievements, interests and learning styles of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, written summaries reporting on children’s progress against the early learning goals and assessment scales and the Early Years Foundation Stage Profilesthe exemption documentation/certificate for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage who have been granted exemptions from parts of the curriculum or from assessment by the Secretary of State through the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

Staff lists and responsibilitiesAssessments and tracking of pupil

progressAttainment on entry evidenceEvidence of all the areas of learning being

planned for on a termly and annual basisRacial/bulling log and race equality,

bullying, behaviour policyFirst aid policy

First aid at work/Essential First Aid course certificate at least one

Paediatric first aid certificateAccident logMedicines administered recordHealth and safety policyRisk assessment eg. An activity/outing for

pupilsAnnual risk assessmentFire drill logAttendance record

Admissions registerSchool policy for child protection/safeguardingEvidence of designated person training in the

last 2 years/ designated person is booked onto a level 3 course in the near future

Training recordSingle Central RecordSchool development planDDA planreferences taken up on staff/ medical formsReports for parents and sample of pupil targetsProspectus/information for parentsComplaints policy

Self-audit Checklist for School Use