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 gained a lot from it in terms of development.
Ash Arya, Assistant Head, Teaching & Learning, Seaford College
Educational Quality Inspections (EQI) & Focused Compliance Inspections (FCI)
The EQI and FCI inspections are two separate inspections within one ‘inspection event’. These inspections include the inspection of boarding and Early Years. They occur simultaneously and are overseen by the same Reporting Inspector (RI). The EQI judges the quality of the pupil’s achievements and personal development and the FCI is similar to the Regulatory Compliance Inspection, with a reduced focus on specific sections of the regulatory framework. In our mock EQI service our team would usually cover both the FCI & EQI
Unrivalled Leadership Experience in Independent Schools
All our inspection teams are led by an experienced Reporting Inspector (RI). The collective depth and breadth of experience of our inspection team is unrivalled. All of our RI’s are former independent school Headteachers in HMC , GSA , GDST or IAPS schools, many have worked at Executive level in Independent School groups. All members of the team have all held significant senior leadership positions in schools belonging to HMC, GSA, BSA, IAPS and CISC – most are also former Headteachers.
Amongst our inspection team are:
- A former Director of The Headmaster’ and Headmistress’ Conference (HMC)
- A former National Director of The Boarding School’s Association (BSA)
- Former Directors of Education at Cognita Schools
- Former Board members of the Independent School’s Council (ISC)
The RI will be your first point of contact once you have decided to take advantage of our ‘mock inspection’ service. Although they are referred to ask ‘mocks’, the spirit and nature of our visit is that of a supportive school review and our teams will offer a mixture of training, coaching and mentoring throughout the process. They are intended as a supportive measure as part of preparations for an inspection and to inform school development priorities. It is also intended to extend and support the school self-assessment process, not exclusively to make checks ahead of an inspection.
The review will help to standardise teaching, enable benchmarking and comparison in improving the quality of teaching and learning. It will help the school identify where support is required and where secure evidence can be provided for the inspectorate.
What is included in a Mock EQI ?
Pre Inspection Training
Our pre inspection training helps you when preparing for inspection. We will provide a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of your service, focusing on quality of education, safeguarding arrangements, leadership and management in particular.
‘We were really pleased to welcome JMC to lead some INSET training at St Hilda’s ahead of our ISI EQI Inspection, which really inspired staff in their daily practice to reflect, amend and refine’.
‘Pupils’ attitudes to learning are outstanding.’ ISI EQI report
Dan Sayers, Headmaster, St Hilda’s School
Pre Inspection Audit
Prior to the inspection our team will review your school website, including an agreed list of named policies appropriate to the scope of the inspection, as well as other relevant documentation specified by your Reporting Inspector ( RI).
Mock Pre-Inspection Phone call between the Head & the Reporting Inspector
If required we can arrange a ‘mock phone call’ between our Reporting Inspector and the Head of the school. In the ISI Inspections Head teachers are expected to hold a substantive discussion with the lead inspector lasting from 45- 90 minutes. This is more than an administrative discussion; it will set the tone and inspection trails for the whole inspection. This discussion is a valuable exercise helping the Head prepare for the call as well as using it as a coaching opportunity to learn from our RI.
Mock Inspection Visit
Our inspection teams conduct the mock inspections over 2-3 days depending on the size of the school.
The mock inspection can take many forms and these are some areas for which you may be interested for your school:
Quality of Education
Our inspection team will use the relevant inspection framework to evaluate the main outcomes for pupils – achievement and personal development. The team would visit lessons, discuss the lesson plans and overall schemes of work with Department Heads and the Academic Deputy Head and then meet with a variety of pupils to discuss their views on teaching and delivery.
RSE/ PSHE Curriculum
Since 1st September 2020 it has been a statutory requirement that all schools, including independent schools deliver ‘Relationships and Sex Education’ (RSE) in England. This statutory requirement is a current focus if ISI inspections.
Are you looking for an update on Relationships & Sex Education INSET for staff ? Follow this link
Boarding & NMS
Boarding inspections are organised according to the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for boarding schools, which relate to pupils’ welfare and care in the boarding environment. Our team will review your boarding provision against the standards, most recently updated in April 2015.
The FCI part of the mock inspection would include a site visit to your boarding houses, meeting your house staff and Pastoral/Boarding Lead and discussing boarding with your Head. The team would also meet with a group of boarding pupils to discover their views of boarding within your school.
If your school has ‘not met’ the ISSRs we can help. Find out more here about our Post ISI Support & training
JMC Inspection Team
Early Years Provision Audit
If you have a EYFS provision we can organise a specialist team which will include an Early Years Team Inspector to evaluate this area of your school to ensure that it fulfils the requirements for the framework (published by the Dept for Education).
Use of Evidence
The team’s judgements on the education quality criteria are based as far as possible on first-hand evidence and include the following activities:
- Observation of lessons and scrutiny of samples of students’ work
- Consultation with students
- Discussion with the proprietor or representative(s) of the school
- Analysis of evidence provided by students and staff
- Analysis of documentary evidence, including performance indicators and self-evaluation
- Consideration of any significant changes or overt progress over recent years.
Mock EQI Inspection Report
You will receive both verbal feedback and a comprehensive written report which can be presented to the School Governors or Proprietors.
The ExSEF: Our Enhanced package includes a review of your SEF (an External SEF) with recommendations related to the inspector’s findings, compiled after the visit.
I am buzzing with ideas, clear, concise and helpful
Hannah Pomroy, Deputy Head, Ampleforth College
How much will it cost?
We pay particular attention to team composition ensuring that our staff are suitable given the size and character of the school.
The cost depends on 4 factors:
1. Size of the Inspection Team
2. Number of days
3. Scope of the inspection
4. Nature of the school: E.g. Size, age range, number of sites, provision of Boarding
“The JMC Team was impressive. Its members spoke with authority; their advice was unfailingly constructive and useful. Moreover, they quickly won over the trust and respect of our staff. I am exceedingly grateful for the work which they did.”
Christopher Wolsey, Headteacher, Ibstock Place School
For a quote or to learn more about our mock inspections, then don’t hesitate to get in touch using our enquires form
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