The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the Government approved inspectorate responsible for the inspection of Association independent schools. Schools in the Associations are ranked among the best in the world and educate more than half a million children in 1,200 schools. We see inspections as a valuable experience, as they seek to improve the quality and effectiveness of schools’ education and care.
Inspections are carried out at short notice – usually only 1 day. The inspection teams are led by professional reporting inspectors with many years’ experience, who are supported by team inspectors such as heads and senior teachers currently working in independent schools.
September 2024 Regulatory Compliance Inspection
The September 2024 inspection was a ‘Regulatory Compliance’ inspection that comments purely on our compliance with the Independent School Standards Regulations (ISSRs).
This was the first time we have been inspected under the Independent Schools Inspectorate’s new framework, which now focusses on descriptive commentary rather than overall judgments. There are five main areas that were inspected, which include scrutiny of compliance with the hundreds of Independent School Standards Regulations (ISSRs).
The five areas are:
- Leadership and management, and governance
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Pupils’ physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Pupils’ social and economic education and contribution to society
- Safeguarding
We are delighted to report that we met every one of the Standards and Regulations. No further action is required as a result of this inspection.
As there are no longer any judgments in this new inspection framework, the inspectors’ comments are key to understanding where the school is currently at. We are delighted at the huge number of positive comments and the full compliance. Some of the comments that are particularly worth noting are as follows:
- Leaders create a warm, open culture based on mutual respect and tolerance. They understand the needs of the pupils.
- Leaders work successfully with well qualified and committed teachers to provide a quality of education which effectively supports pupils’ intellectual, emotional, social and physical development.
- Detailed assessment informs effective lesson planning which meets pupils’ needs. All pupils make good progress.
- Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported and their needs are met in class.
- Pupils acquire new interests and skills through the varied programme of extra-curricular activities and the quality of the physical education they receive.
- Children in the Nursery and Reception benefit from a carefully planned curriculum which is taught by caring, well-qualified staff.
- Pupils have opportunities to develop their leadership skills, enabling them to initiate a variety of activities, listen carefully to their peers and work together.
- Pupils behave well. There is a fair, positive behaviour management policy in place which is used effectively. All aspects of health and safety, including online safety, are managed carefully so that pupils feel safe and secure.
