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 inspections and outcomes in England, 2020
Supporting Non Association Independent Schools/ Independent Special Schools and Alternative Provision with Ofsted
JMC provided for Ampleforth a very thorough and professional insight into Ofsted graded non association independent school inspections and also a very useful review of our SLT appraisal process. I can thoroughly recommend JMC for their expertise and objectivity.
Robin Dyer, Headmaster, Ampleforth College
There are over 1,100 non-association schools, which fall into two categories: independent special schools (45%) and other independent schools (55%). Ofsted inspects both these types of school and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspects the schools that are members of an association.
All independent schools must meet all the paragraphs of the Independent School Standards (ISSRs) in order to maintain their registration. The DfE is very clear and unambiguous about this requirement. ISSR compliance is integral to getting a positive inspection outcome.
JMC are specialists in supporting non association independent schools and independent special schools and Alternative provision ( AP) with unrivalled knowledge and experience inspecting against the current Ofsted framework and the ISSRs. We support schools through our in-school training, expert-led compliance & safeguarding webinars, school improvement reviews, audits and mock inspections.
Under the current Ofsted inspection framework, failing to meet the standards almost guarantees an “inadequate” inspection judgment.
Has your independent school or Alternative Provision already been visited by Ofsted & placed into a category such as serious weaknesses or special measures?
We can support you in putting together an action plan / submission to the DfE, as well as carrying out an external review or monitoring visit . Find out more here
JMC Post Ofsted Support Team
Mock Inspections for Non Association Independent Schools
All non-association independent schools will have a ‘standard inspection’ every 3 years. Standard inspections are carried out using the current Ofsted education inspection framework (EIF) and the Independent School Standards. We have a unique understanding of both of these frameworks and their application to schools.
Many schools choose to combine whole school inspection training with an Ofsted mock inspection.
We have a range of packages which our office team would be happy to discuss with you.
JMC Inspection Team
Ofsted Inspection Training
Our inspection teams aim to leave your school or AP site having helped you unpick the current Ofsted inspection framework and given your teaching & administration teams more confidence and reassurance in readiness for when the inspector calls.
We provide easy to access online expert led compliance webinars and updates for school staff and Governors or trustees.
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.
Non Association Independent School Inspection Training
Training could focus on areas such as:
- Designing an Ofsted Ready Curriculum Intent for your school
- How to prepare for an Ofsted Deep Dive
- Ofsted Outstanding Implementation of Teaching and learning
- How to achieve Ofsted Outstanding in an Inspection
- Understanding the ISSRs
- Compliance Briefings and mentoring for key staff
- Safeguarding Updates e.g. KCSIE, Peer to Peer Sexual Harassment
I am buzzing with ideas, clear, concise and helpful
Hannah Pomroy, Deputy Head, Ampleforth College
Ofsted Deep Dive Training
We offer Ofsted Deep Dive training for HODs or the SLT as well as subject & phase specific training:
- Preparing for a Deep Dive in Sixth Form
- Preparing for a Deep Dive in English
- Preparing for a Deep Dive in Maths
- Preparing for a Deep Dive in Science
- Preparing for a Deep Dive in Humanities
Compliance Training for Schools
We can offer the following or tailor a bespoke package to meet your school’s needs:
Understanding the ISSRs in Non Association Independent 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 School Proprietors, Trustees & Governors
Training on how to carry out internal audits of the SCR
- There can be great benefits to the Safeguarding Governors or Trustee 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.
School Compliance Briefing sessions
- Annual briefing sessions to non- association 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.
Whole school and Lead team INSET on preparing for Ofsted inspection
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: 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…
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: 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: 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…
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…
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…
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…
ISI INSET : Regulatory Compliance (RCI)for Independent Schools
Really useful ideas to move us forward and help with evidence of compliance for inspection! Emma Beer, Deputy Head, Teaching & learning, Lady Barn House School Regulatory Compliance Have you…
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…
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 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 : 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: 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…
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 &…
Conference: The New ISI Inspection Framework 2023
“The changes proposed represent an evolution of how we currently inspect schools. They build on the strengths of our current framework and consider the significant changes across education and wider society over…
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…
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…
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…
BSO INSET : Securing Excellence in ISI BSO EQI
This will really get us thinking about the ISI BSO Inspection and effective classroom practice William Shuttleworth, Director of Teaching & Learning, The Banda, IAPS Prep School, Nairobi, Kenya Getting…
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…
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…
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…
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: 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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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.
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…
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…
EYFS INSET : Achieving Outstanding Early Years Provision
Very informative, lots of thought provoking ideas Tanya Cross, Assistant Head, Inglehurst Junior School Do you know what outstanding looks like in EYFS? Are you able to evidence it in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
Safeguarding INSET: KCSIE Compliance 2022
This expert-led KCSIE webinar is available for schools to book for their leaders and staff as a 1 or 2 hour interactive Zoom session. It can be booked now to…
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…
