JMC were instrumental in our preparation for a recent I.S.I. Independent schools inspection and were a source of great encouragement and guidance. Very evident in the report, where the highest possible judgements were obtained, was observed evidence of this input from John and his team.
Mike Rees, Headmaster, St. Michael’s Preparatory School
Independent Schools Inspection Training
Our in house trainers aim to leave your school having helped you unpick the school inspection framework and given your teaching & administration teams more confidence and reassurance in readiness for when the inspector calls.
The focus of our courses can be adapted to your needs so please browse the current courses in the list below and let us know your priorities for us to tailor the course to best prepare you for your inspection visit.
Whole School Inspection Training
Training could focus on areas such as:
- How to prepare for an ISI Compliance or Education Quality inspection
- What are inspectors looking for on an inspection
- A breakdown of the schedule for an inspection
- How to achieve Excellent in an EQI Inspection
- ISI Excellent Pupil Outcomes
- Achieving Excellence in Personal Development
- Marking and Feedback and how to evidence this for ISI
- Middle leaders training on how to observe lessons ISI style
- Understanding the ISSRs
- Preparing all the relevant documentation for ISI
- SCR Compliance training
- Compliance Briefings and mentoring for key staff
- Safeguarding Updates e.g. KCSIE, Peer to Peer Sexual Harassment
- Boarding Compliance
Many schools choose to combine whole school inspection training with a mock inspection.
We have a range of packages which our office team would be happy to discuss with you.
Compliance Training for Schools
Training for staff who complete the SCR and recruitment processes
- Break down of all pre-employment checks, why and how to carry them out.
- Each session tailored to participants needs.
- Increased ability to respond the complex requirements when completing processes.
- Boosts confidence and understanding.
Safeguarding for Governors and School Proprietors
Training on how to carry out internal audits of the SCR
- There can be great benefits to the Safeguarding Governors or school Proprietor carrying out an internal audit of the SCR. In order for a robust audit to take place, in depth training is offered to support the governor with this process.
- Training on how to carry out robust internal audits of the SCR.
- Demonstrations on how to delve further into processes to ensure statutory requirements are met.
- Appreciation to challenge evidence presented.
- Participants will leave with a greater awareness of the legislation that governs recruitment and the SCR.
Independent Schools Compliance Briefing sessions
Annual briefing sessions to independent schools updating on changes to statutory requirements from the DfE or Home Office, along with elements of best practice gained from schools audits.
Please browse the course details below and get in touch to find out what makes us different and we can begin to create a truly bespoke solution for your school.
Independent Schools INSET for preparing for inspection

INSET : ISI Excellent Pupil Outcomes for All students
Impressed by both the content and the delivery Joe Thackway, Head, Crescent School Improving Pupil Outcomes across the school The quality of education in a school is judged by the…

INSET: Achieving Excellence in Pupil Personal Development
Thank you very much for a very informative and useful session Katherine Beith, Director of Studies, Alleyn’s Junior School How would you rate your pupil’s personal development? How do you…

State Boarding School Audit: Academies, Free Schools
Is your State Boarding school fully compliant ? How do you know? Where is your evidence and is it easily accessible? Are you confident of meeting all NMS for boarding…

Inspection INSET: Single Central Register (SCR) for the Bewildered
“Expert advice and guidance delivered in a skilled and professional manner ” Mr W Sawyer, Head of Prep School, Yarm School What is a Single Central Register or SCR? Why…

Ofsted INSET : Preparing for an English Deep Dive
“Really useful for what a deep dive means and what to say to Ofsted” Justin Jones, Head of English, KLB School The Ofsted Ready English Department: Preparing for a Deep…

MAT, Academy & School Inspection Training
“A really helpful session covering all areas of the Ofsted framework. The suggested questions are really useful” Laura Creswick , Assistant Head , Teaching & Learning, Nailsea School School Staff…

ISI Inspection Training for Independent Schools
We contacted JMC with regards to organising some bespoke training around ISI inspection, ISSRs, and the format of regulatory compliance inspections and were very impressed with the service they provided….

RSE Policy / PSHE Education audit
“We found the RSE policy review and wider support an invaluable aid to improve our provision” Emma Cornhill, Headteacher Fairburn School, North Yorkshire The expectations for Relationships Education, Relationships and…

School Improvement Review Service & Audits
We really found the school improvement review work you did last year very useful and it’s something we would like to implement on a yearly basis. Michael Johnson, Vice Principal…

INSET : Advanced Marking & Feedback Strategies
Transformational David Luard, Northcote Lodge School Beyond Triple Impact Marking – making marking meaningful, manageable and motivating again! Just 45 per cent of primary and 44 per cent of secondary…

Mock Regulatory Compliance Inspection Service (RCI)
We had a two-day mock RCI inspection, where JMC’s flexibility was exceptional, alongside their mock inspectors’ thorough knowledge and collegiate approach. Jonathan Holmes, Deputy Head academic, St Dunstan’s College, London…

INSET: Creating a school self-evaluation and SEF for ISI
Why carry out a School Self Evaluation? Many schools use a range of self-evaluation activities to find out what is working, or not, in their schools. Sometimes these are overly…

ISI INSET : Securing Excellence in ISI EQI
All of us found it a very useful ‘dress rehearsal’ for the real thing! Piers Heyworth, Headmaster Manor Prep Getting to grips with the EQI focus on Outcomes for Pupils…

Post 16 INSET: 6th Form Ofsted Deep Dives
“Thank you, you made everything seem less scary” Richard Stubbs, Head of Maths, Abbey Park School The Ofsted Ready 6th Form: Preparing for a Deep Dive Schools with a 6th…

INSET : Curriculum Design: Intent, Implementation & Impact
This INSET cuts through the complexity of the issues and highlights common themes to support successful curriculum design” Tim Jones, Deputy Head, Knowle Park Primary School Curriculum Design With a…

Early Years Settings & Nursery Mock Inspections
From the very start JMC were professional and exceptionally friendly. The staff all commented how at ease they made them feel, while also being thorough. I will always be a…

Ofsted Training : The Ofsted Ready School
“Inspiring and knowledgeable” Claire Vickery, Head of DT, Buckler’s Mead Academy Ofsted has moved away from headline data to look instead at how schools are achieving these results, and whether…

INSET: Conducting a school self-review for Ofsted
Why carry out a School Self review? Many schools use a range of self-review activities to find out what is working, or not, in their schools. Sometimes these are overly…

Behaviour & Attitudes Audit for Primary & Secondary Schools
‘The Behaviour audit was conducted sensitively and thoroughly both prior to and during the audit. JMC took time to speak to staff and students to ensure they felt part of the…

INSET: Using Data to Improve Standards & Progress
All schools use huge amounts of data to support them in the work they do. Information on pupil attainment and progress is the most complex part of this, but data…

Mock Ofsted Inspections for Schools, Colleges & Academies
During the mock Ofsted, JMC quickly assessed what our primary needs were and responded immediately. We feel much better equipped for the task ahead. Judy Packham, Director, Springboard Education Mock…

BSO INSET : Exceeding the BSO Standards
Thank you very much it has been such a useful day, I have so many ideas to take away from the day! Lynne Reynolds, Head of Social Science , Bosworth…

Mock Inspections for Non Association Independent Schools
25% of Non Association Independent Schools inspected between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 failed to meet the requirements of the Independent School Standards Ofsted – Non-association independent schools…

NMS INSET: Boarding Compliance – National Minimum Standards
This expert-led NMS webinar is available for schools to book for their boarding leaders and staff as a 1 or 2 hour interactive Zoom session. It can be booked now…

Boarding School Audit for Independent & International schools
Very useful practical tips and information. Immediate take home actions. Abingdon School Is your Boarding school fully compliant ? How do you know? Where is your evidence and is it…

ISI INSET: ISI Inspection – Understanding the ISSRs
We contacted JMC with regards to organising some bespoke training around ISI inspections, ISSRs, and the format of regulatory compliance inspections and were very impressed with the service they provided….

INSET: ISI Lesson Observation and the ISSRs
Extremely valuable – thank you ! Jane Bond , Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral and Operational), Rokeby School Strategies for ISI Lesson observation, feedback and coaching to improve teaching and pupil progress…

Ofsted INSET : Preparing for a Science Deep Dive
“Absolutely brilliant, I feel so much more informed and energised” Katherine Letts, Director of Science ( Core Leadership Group) , St Laurence School Ofsted Ready Science Teaching : Preparing for…

Ofsted INSET: Preparing Subject Leaders for a Deep Dive
“Really useful for what a deep dive means and what to say to Ofsted” Justin Jones, HOD English, KLB School The Ofsted Ready Department: Preparing for a Deep Dive The…

How to Prepare for an Ofsted Deep Dive
The new Ofsted framework really gives more time for Ofsted inspectors to look at lines of enquiry and subjects in some depth: the now-famous Jacques Cousteau ‘deep dive’. This should…

Ofsted INSET : Preparing for a Maths Deep Dive
“Thank you, you made everything seem less scary” Richard Stubbs, Head of Maths, Abbey Park School The Ofsted Ready Maths Department: Preparing for a Deep Dive The current Ofsted framework…

INSET: Ofsted Personal Development – building resilience, confidence & independence
What are inspectors looking for in Ofsted personal development? The current Ofsted inspection framework now places a much greater emphasis on pupils personal development and how the school and its…

Mock Educational Quality Inspection Service (EQI)
The whole mock inspection process was professional, well delivered and extremely valuable to us. It validated where we are and provided concrete next steps forward. Myself and the senior team…

Ofsted INSET : Deep Dive Marking & Feedback
“Has really helped me confirm how I need to address the marking policy” Katherine Hyland, Assistant Head, St Anne’s Catholic School for Girls Ofsted 2020 : Greater focus on teacher…

INSET : Rapid & Sustained Progress – High Impact Strategies for Class-teachers
Lots of good ideas that I can use tomorrow, exactly what I want from CPD Alison Yates, Year Leader, Harlington Upper School Strategies to promote high levels of progress and…

INSET: Governing Body Training for ISI Inspection
If you are a Proprietor or part of the Governing body of an Independent School in England you will have responsibilities to ensure that your school is adhering to the…

Ofsted INSET: Outstanding Implementation of T&L
“Lots of new ideas to try out and great discussions ” #alwayslearning Highcliffe School Learning & Teaching Steering Group ( via Twitter) Will your school achieve or maintain Outstanding in…

Academy Trust Board or School Governance Review
JMC can conduct a School Governance Review (virtually via Zoom or in person) Would you like to verify the effectiveness of your governance? Is your school about to undergo a…

INSET : Metacognitive Feedback to Improve Pupil Progress
Thanks for a fantastic INSET on Metacognition – Really looking forward to using the strategies in our lessons in the next few weeks The Marist School Sports Department ( via…

INSET: Boarding School Staff Training for ISI Inspection
• Is your Boarding school fully compliant ?• How do you know?• Where is your evidence and is it easily accessible?• Are you confident of meeting all NMS for Independent…

Ofsted Special Measures Support for Schools
We maintain the strictest levels of confidentially throughout all our consultancy projects with schools & colleges especially concerning those judged as Ofsted inadequate or in Special Measures. Testimonials or references…

Safeguarding Audit : Academies Schools & FE Colleges
Very useful practical tips and information. Immediate take home actions. Abingdon School MAT, Academy & School Safeguarding Audits Understanding your duties and responsibilities, and developing and embedding good safeguarding practice,…

Mock Inspection for Independent Schools
The whole mock inspection process was professional, well delivered and extremely valuable to us. It validated where we are and provided concrete next steps forward. Myself and the senior team…

Inspection INSET: ISSR Compliance for Governors
An Outstanding Session on ISSR Compliance Jacqueline Jenkins, Chair of the Advisory Board and School Inspector, Merton Court School Are you expecting an inspection from ISI or Ofsted? Book this…

INSET: Safe & Fully Compliant Boarding Schools
• Are Boarding schools fully compliant ?• How do you know?• Where is your evidence and is it easily accessible?• Will you satisfy the SCCIF (Maintained Schools) or are confident…

Ofsted INSET : Preparing your School for Deep Dives
“A really helpful session covering all areas of the new Ofsted framework. The suggested questions are really useful” Laura Creswick , Assistant Head , Teaching & Learning, Nailsea School Is…

INSET : Excellent Teaching & Learning for ISI
Dispelling misconceptions, clarifying the criteria and sharing the theory and research behind the ISI approach. This course sets out what ISI defined excellent teaching looks like and how it can be identified and strengthened throughout the school.

SLT INSET: Enabling Collective Teacher Efficacy (CTE)
When everyone in a school believes that together they can make a difference, the impact on student attainment can be almost quadrupled Rachel Eells, 2011 An Effect size greater than…

ISI INSET: Documentation for ISI Inspections
An ideal combination to deal with the challenge of ISI inspections. Mr J Whybrow, Headmaster, Amesbury School INSET aims: To help you to develop a familiarity with the key policies…

Middle leaders INSET: Meaningful Lesson Observations
Strategies for Lesson observations, feedback and coaching to improve teaching and student progress Do your middle leaders feel confident in the skills of lesson observation? Can you feedback to colleagues…