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
📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com
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.
📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com
Whole school and Lead team INSET on preparing for Ofsted inspection
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? Both these…
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…
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: 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…
Preparing for Inspection: Ofsted Ready Curriculum & Teaching
Delivering an Ofsted Ready Curriculum & Teaching: Strategic Leadership for Inspection Success “Lots of new ideas to try out and great discussions ” #alwayslearning Highcliffe School Learning & Teaching Steering…
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…
F23 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…
Boarding School Audit for Independent Schools
Very useful practical tips and information. Immediate take home actions. Abingdon School Independent Boarding School Audit Educational institutions must meet and observe a wide variety of guidelines and regulations set…
Trust wide MAT reviews and quality assurance
JMC’s expertise in MAT reviews, deep dives, data analysis and subject leader development has been crucial in driving our success. Trust Primary Director MAT reviews Increasingly MATs are…
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 To grade…
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 greater…
Insight: Getting Ready for Independent School Inspection with ISI
Preparing for an Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection can be a challenging yet crucial task for school leaders. Ensuring that your school meets the high standards expected during these inspections…
INSET : Consistently Great 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.
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…
ISI INSET : Regulatory Compliance 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 Compliance: There…
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….
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….
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: Developing a Knowledge Rich Curriculum in Science
“Really engaging tutor who clearly knew his stuff” Sadia Mirza, HOD, Dr Challoners High School Discover more from JMC INSET Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email….
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…
INSET: ISI Lesson Observations, Learning walks 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…
Expert ISI Inspection Mentoring & Action Planning for SLT
Are you a senior leader in an independent school preparing for an ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) inspection? Our specialised consultancy services are designed to mentor, train and support the action…
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…
Supportive School Health Check: ISI Mock Visit
A Light-Touch Mock Inspection for Independent Schools This streamlined, supportive review offers schools a focused snapshot of current practice aligned with ISI standards. Conducted over 2 days by a senior…
INSET : Key Staff Preparation for the F23 ISI Inspection Framework
We all found the ISI Inspection Framework day incredibly useful, and we have plenty of actions to undertake! Sophie Toland, Senior Deputy, St. Mary’s Calne Getting to grips with the…
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…
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: Preparing Middle leaders for ISI Inspection
This specialist training equips middle leaders with the regulatory understanding, strategic clarity, and practical tools required to lead their areas with confidence under the current ISI inspection framework. Who…
Mock Inspection for Independent Schools
Prepare for ISI & Ofsted Success with JMC INSET The whole mock inspection process was professional, well delivered and extremely valuable to us. It validated where we are and provided…
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…
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,…
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…
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 &…
INSET: Preparing Middle Leaders for ISI Inspection
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…
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 : Achieving an Ofsted Strong Curriculum & Teaching
“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 Do you…
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…
F23 ISI Inspection Methodology
The new ISI Inspection Framework is now in effect, known as Framework 23 (F23), there is a strong emphasis on promoting pupil wellbeing and some significant changes to inspection methodology….
Single Academy Trust & School Governance Review
JMC can conduct a School Governance Review (virtually via Zoom or in person) The School Governance Review will examine the governance structure, operations and performance across the board. Our Governance…
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…
INSET: Delivering an Ofsted Ready Curriculum & Teaching in FE
“Thank you, you made everything seem less scary” Richard Stubbs, Head of Maths, Abbey Park School Delivering an Ofsted Ready Curriculum & Teaching in FE: Strategic Leadership for Inspection Success…
MAT, Academy & School Inspection Training
Prepare your school or trust for inspection with confidence and clarity. JMC Education offers bespoke inspection training for schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts, fully aligned with the 2025 Ofsted Education…
INSET: Leading an Ofsted Ready School
Leading an Ofsted Ready School: Strategic Preparation Across the Inspection Framework Purpose of the INSET This session supports headteachers and SLT in leading an Ofsted ready school. It provides strategic…
Mock Inspection for Alternative Provision Settings
Prepare your AP setting for Ofsted 2025 with confidence and clarity. JMC Education offers bespoke mock inspections for Alternative Provision (AP) settings, aligned with the latest Ofsted Education Inspection Framework…
ISI INSET : Improving Pupils’ Quality of Education
Impressed by both the content and the delivery Joe Thackway, Head, Crescent School Improving pupils’ quality of education across the school The quality of education in a school is judged…
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…
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.
Middle leaders INSET: Meaningful Lesson Observations
Strategies for Lesson observations, feedback and coaching to improve teaching and student progress Making Lesson Observations Beneficial Teacher appraisal and capability place effective and accurate observations of teaching and learning…
INSET: Achieving Excellence in Pupil Personal Development
Thank you very much for a very informative and useful sessionKatherine Beith, Director of Studies, Alleyn’s Junior School How would you rate your pupil’s personal development?How do you know?Where is…
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 Ofsted has regularly condemned the quality…
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