Middle leaders play a pivotal role in the success of ISI inspections. As the link between senior leadership and classroom practice, they are responsible for ensuring that departmental policies, curriculum delivery, and pastoral care align with the Independent School Standards. Their ability to articulate impact, lead with clarity, and present evidence confidently is essential to demonstrating compliance and excellence.
This course can be booked for all middle leaders within a school, providing a consistent understanding of inspection expectations and fostering a collaborative approach to compliance and improvement. Whole-team training ensures alignment across departments, strengthens inspection readiness, and supports a unified school-wide response to ISI requirements.
🎯 Target Audience
Designed for Heads of Department, subject leaders, curriculum coordinators, and middle leaders in independent schools inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Suitable for academic and pastoral leaders across all phases, including those in HMC, GSA, IAPS, ISA, Society of Heads, and AGBIS member schools.
✅ INSET Outcomes
By the end of the training, participants will:
- Understand their inspection responsibilities under the ISI framework
- Be equipped to present departmental strengths and impact with confidence
- Know how to prepare effective evidence across all regulatory areas
- Be ready to collaborate with SLT to support inspection readiness and school improvement
🎓 Course Purpose
This specialist training equips middle leaders with the regulatory understanding, strategic clarity, and practical tools needed to lead their departments confidently under the current ISI inspection framework.
❓ Key Questions Addressed for Middle Leaders
- What are the expectations for departmental leadership under the revised ISI framework?
- How can subject and pastoral leaders demonstrate the impact of their work?
- What evidence should be prepared in advance of inspection, and how should it be presented?
- How can departmental policies and practices align with wider school compliance?
📚 INSET Outline
Understanding Compliance at Departmental Level
Explore how departmental responsibilities contribute to overall school compliance with:
- Independent School Standards Regulations (ISSRs)
- National Minimum Standards (NMS)
- EYFS statutory requirements
Includes guidance on curriculum intent, safeguarding, policy alignment, and leadership accountability.
How Middle leaders should Prepare and Present Evidence to ISI
Learn how to structure and present inspection evidence, including:
- Curriculum mapping
- Assessment strategies
- Lesson observation readiness
- Book scrutiny preparation
- Articulating departmental strengths and impact
Common Areas of Non-Compliance
Identify and address typical inspection challenges such as:
- Inconsistent curriculum delivery
- Limited assessment analysis
- Ineffective provision for diverse learners
Strategic Departmental Leadership
Understand how middle leadership drives school-wide improvement through:
- Data-informed planning
- High-quality provision for all learners
- Departmental evaluation
- Contribution to whole-school self-evaluation and development planning
Ready to strengthen your inspection readiness?
Book this course for your whole middle leadership team and ensure a unified, confident approach to ISI compliance.
👉 Contact us today to arrange a bespoke session
📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com
Discover more from JMC INSET
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
