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.
I highly recommend JMC to all senior leaders within independent schools. We will certainly be using them again!
Jonathan Holmes, Deputy Head, St Dunstan’s College
Why choose JMC for your ISI Inspection Training?
The collective depth and breadth of experience of our inspection training team is unrivalled. All members of the team have all held significant leadership positions in schools belonging to HMC, GSA, BSA, IAPS and CISC.
Amongst our ISI inspection team are:
- A former Director of The Headmaster’ and Headmistress’ Conference (HMC)
- A former National Director of The Boarding School’s Association (BSA)
- A former Senior Advisor to Cognita Schools
- Former Board members of the Independent School’s Council (ISC)
Our expert ISI inspection team aim to leave your school having helped you unpick the school ISI inspection framework and given your teaching & administration teams more confidence and reassurance in readiness for when the inspector calls. We have an excellent record of helping schools achieve the highest outcomes.
JMC were instrumental in our preparation for a recent ISI 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
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 routine and non routine ISI inspections
- How to achieve excellence in the 5 strands
- ISI Excellent Pupil Progress
- 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 Governors, SLT & key HR / Office 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.
ISI Inspection Compliance Training for Schools
Training on the New ISI Inspection Framework 2023
We are running a series of training events in 2023 on the new ISI Inspection framework and its application to schools, starting with our National Conference to be held in Central London on Friday 22nd September 2023.
We can adapt and offer this programme for deliver as an INSET in your school. Please contact us for details.
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.
Compliance for Governors and School Proprietors
We can arrange an online expert led CPD session for your Governors, Trustees or Board members where we will explore:
- What aspects of school are inspected on a regulatory compliance inspection?
- What will we need to prove compliance?
- What will inspectors be looking for?
This training is aimed at governors , trustees , board members and proprietors of independent schools inspected by ISI or Ofsted. It is suitable for Governors of HMC, GSA, IAPS, ISA, Society of Heads or AGBIS Schools as well as Non-Association Independent Schools.
An Outstanding Session
Jacqueline Jenkins, Chair of the Advisory Board and School Inspector, Merton Court School
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, such as KCSIE, along with elements of best practice gained from our school’s 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.
Is your school due an ISI Inspection in 2023?
Find out more about our mock inspections for independent schools here
JMC Inspection Team
Independent Schools INSET for preparing for inspection

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…

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

Opinion: The ISI Inspection Myth Buster!
What is involved in an ISI Inspection ? There are many changes to the inspection framework from September 2023. The most significant is that ISI will NOT give an overall…

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: This course is aimed at school leaders in independent schools inspected…

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 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…

Mock Ofsted 90 minute Educationally Focussed Conversation
Mock Ofsted Pre-Inspection Phone call between the Head & the Lead Inspector The purpose of this service is to support headteachers in preparing for the 90 minute educationally focussed telephone…

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…

ISI Inspection Methodology for September 2023
ISI have published their new inspection framework and handbook for inspection from September 2023. The documents remain in draft form during the summer term as ISI conclude their pilot programme….

Inspection of Safeguarding Conference 2023
Join us for this brand-new one day safeguarding conference to help you prepare your school for the inspection of safeguarding provision and to ensure that you are able to demonstrate…

Why international schools go for BSO Accreditation
BSO Accreditation can provide several benefits, both for the schools themselves and for their pupils. In 2022, ISC Research data recorded a total of 13,180 English-Medium international schools around the…

Compliance & Safeguarding Training Webinars
Our expert-led webinars are available for schools to book for their leaders and staff as a 1 or 2 hour tailored and interactive Zoom sessions which would be suitable for…

Post 16 INSET : Outstanding Learning & Progress in 6th Form
“Feedback has been extremely positive about last night’s training – ‘One colleague even described it as “life changing”. Andy Backwell, Head of 6th Form, Malmesbury School Some teachers find teaching…

INSET: Boarding School Staff CPD for ISI /BSO Inspection
For Boarding Schools , what really matters to ISI within an inspection is whether or the school meets with all the ISSRs & the regulations by which they are bound…

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.

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: Apprenticeship & Adult Skills Deep Dives
The Ofsted Ready Apprenticeship Programme: Preparing for a Deep Dive In April 2021 Ofsted became responsible for the inspection of apprenticeship provision at all levels. This was recommended in the Review…

Ofsted INSET : Preparing for a Humanities Deep Dive
“Outstanding – extremely helpful & has built my confidence” Miranda Rawlinson, Head of History, Pate’s Grammar School The Ofsted Ready Humanities Department: Preparing for a Deep Dive The current Ofsted…

INSET : Improving Pupil Progress & Attainment at KS3 & KS4
‘very informative’ Sarah Williams, Principal, Immanuel School A practical guide on high impact teaching strategies for improving pupil progress in KS3 & KS4 students Do you apply the full range…

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…

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…

INSET: Developing a Knowledge Rich Curriculum in Science
“Really engaging tutor who clearly knew his stuff” Sadia Mirza, HOD, Dr Challoners High School • Do you know what the changes that Ofsted are proposing?• How articulate are you…

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…

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 Are you deep-diving into…

Behaviour 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…

BSO INSET : Exemplary Practice in BSO Education Quality
This will really get us thinking about the BSO Inspection and effective classroom practice William Shuttleworth, Director of Teaching & Learning, The Banda, IAPS Prep School, Nairobi, Kenya New BSO…

INSET : New Standards for Accredited BSO Schools
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…

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…

Middle leaders INSET : Effective Curriculum Monitoring & Evaluation
“The feedback from the middle leaders and SLT was overwhelmingly positive, they loved being able to share ideas and raise their concerns” Svetlana Bajic-Raymond, Deputy Head, Cotham School Are you…

Mock Ofsted Inspections for Schools, MATs & 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…

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

INSET: ISI Personal Development – building resilience, self-confidence & independence
What are inspectors looking for in ISI personal development? The current ISI inspection framework places a significant emphasis on pupils personal development and how the school and its curriculum contributes…

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…

Compliance Audit : Schools Academies & FE Colleges
“Very impressed indeed with the meticulous nature of the compliance audit, the quality of feedback and manner in which it was delivered.” Jonny Timms, Headmaster, Walhampton School MAT, Academy &…

Independent Schools Standards ‘not met’ – Support for Schools
We maintain the strictest levels of confidentially throughout all our consultancy projects with schools & colleges especially concerning those that have not met the Independent School Standards, as judged by…

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…

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 This is an introductory course aimed at senior leaders…

INSET : Marking & Feedback – Evidencing for Inspection
With the recent changes to the ISI framework it is essential that teachers and leaders get to grips with the new criteria. This course also presents practical ways to mark smarter and how the research shows that improving marking and feedback is the number one way of adding value to pupil progression and attainment.

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…

Ofsted INSET : Quality of Education
“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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Covid Compliance: Is your MAT , Academy or School Covid Compliant?
As schools across the UK open for all students for the new school year, teaching professionals need guidance on how best to support and protect children and young people. Will…

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…

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…

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…

INSET : ISI Excellent Marking & Feedback
With the recent changes to the ISI framework it is essential that teachers and leaders get to grips with the new criteria. This course also presents practical ways to mark smarter and how the research shows that improving marking and feedback is the number one way of adding value to pupil progression and attainment.

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…