JMC were instrumental in our preparation for a recent ISI 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 the JMC inspection team.
Mike Rees, Headmaster, St. Michael’s Preparatory School
Inspection is so often a cause of undue anxiety, unneeded unrest and untenable rumour. There’s a million ways to start flustering yourself when Ofsted or ISI come knocking. At JMC we believe the best way to face an inspection process is informed, prepared and with confidence. It’s a case of breathe, relax, and take our advice , based on many years of experience. You can aid the inspector in seeing that practice in your school is what it should be and in many areas, much more. Our mentoring , training courses & mock inspections are here to help you achieve just this.
Pre- Inspection Mentoring
With our detailed and current knowledge of the inspectorates priorities, approaches and requirements we can help you focus on what matters and what needs to be done to get the best from the inspection process. One of our inspection team can work with your staff for a day in a mentoring role supporting your preparation in key areas such as compliance, safeguarding, SEF preparation etc
Pre- Inspection Training
Our in house trainers aim to leave your school having helped you unpick the inspectorates frames of reference and given your teaching teams more confidence and reassurance in readiness for when the inspector calls.
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.
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
- How to prepare for a F23 ISI inspection
- Understanding the ISSRs
- Compliance Briefings and mentoring for key staff
- Safeguarding Updates e.g. KCSIE, Child to Child Sexual Harassment
Mock Inspections
Many Senior leaders, Governors or School Proprietors are looking to ensure the highest outcomes in their inspections and ask JMC the support the school college or other educational provider by visiting and carrying out a ‘mock inspection’
Which Educational Providers do we support?
For more details of our mock inspections for ISI inspected Independent Schools click here
- For Ofsted inspected Independent schools click here
- For Ofsted inspected Maintained schools , Academies & MATs click here
- For Alternative Provision & Pupil Referral Units click here
- For Ofsted inspected GFE Colleges, HE & Adult Education click here
- For Ofsted inspected Apprenticeship & work place providers click here
Our team continue to act as mentors or critical friends in these inspections helping your staff identify and issues and suggesting solutions.
Is your school due an ISI Inspection in 2025?
JMC provide comprehensive mock inspections, each of our teams are led by an experienced Reporting Inspector.
JMC Inspection Team
External Self Evaluation (ExSEF)
Would you like our inspection team to visit and then help you complete your SEF? Our ExSEF service casts a critical eye on your self evaluation with the framework in mind , suggesting ways to evidence standards and improve outcomes.
Has your school, academy or PRU 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
We have a range of packages which our office team would be happy to discuss with you.
“JMC provided bespoke training for us. It was well researched, up to date and delivered with real enthusiasm. I have no hesitation in recommending this company to other schools”.
Michele Jones Deputy Head, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School
Whole school and Lead team INSET for preparing for inspection |
INSET: Preparing your SEND Provision for Ofsted Excellence“This session presented a broad spectrum of useful and thought-provoking content that has significantly impacted my approach to SEND leadership. It was packed with relevant information aimed at not just… 
Mock Ofsted Inspections for Schools, MATs & AcademiesDuring 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… 
Independent Schools Standards ‘not met’ – Support for SchoolsWe 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… 
INSET : Key Staff Preparation for the F23 ISI Inspection FrameworkWe 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… 
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… 
EYFS INSET : Achieving Outstanding Early Years ProvisionVery 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… 
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 &… 
ISI INSET : A Consistent Approach to Marking & FeedbackWith 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 : Consistently Great Teaching & Learning for ISIDispelling 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. 
INSET : New Standards for Accredited BSO SchoolsThank 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… 
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… 
Why international schools go for BSO AccreditationBSO 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… 
INSET: Conducting a school self-review for OfstedWhy 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… 
INSET: Governing Body Training for ISI InspectionIf 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… 
Trust wide MAT reviews and quality assuranceJMC’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… 
Inspection Spotlight: Preparing for an Ofsted Inspection in Special SchoolsPreparing for an Ofsted Inspection in Special Schools: A Guide for School Leaders Preparing for an Ofsted inspection can be a daunting task, especially for special schools where the needs… 
INSET: Ofsted Personal Development – building resilience, confidence & independenceWhat 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: Using Data to Improve Standards & ProgressAll 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 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… 
Mock Inspection for Pupil referral units & alternative provisionJMC has a deep understanding of Ofsted requirements and standards, which they use to empower schools towards achieving excellence. Under JMC’s leadership, schools have consistently shown marked improvements. Their collaborative… 
ISI INSET: Documentation for ISI InspectionsAn 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: Boarding School Staff CPD for ISI /BSO InspectionFor 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… 
Preparing for F23 ISI Inspections March 2024 Conference** This event has now taken place contact us to book any of these training sessions in your school ** F23 ISI Inspection Conference : Friday 1st March 2024 ,… 
ISI Inspection Training for Independent SchoolsWe 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…. 
Compliance & Safeguarding Training WebinarsOur 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… 
BSO INSET : Exemplary Practice in BSO Education QualityThis 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… 
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… 
Mock Inspection for Independent SchoolsThe 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… 
INSET: ISI Lesson Observations, Learning walks and the ISSRsExtremely 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… 
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… 
Safeguarding Audit : Academies, Schools & FE CollegesVery 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,… 
Insight: Getting Ready for Independent School Inspection with ISIPreparing 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 : 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… 
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… 
Inspection INSET: ISSR Compliance for GovernorsAn 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… 
INSET: Creating a school self-evaluation and SEF for ISIWhy 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: Developing a Knowledge Rich Curriculum in Science“Really engaging tutor who clearly knew his stuff” Sadia Mirza, HOD, Dr Challoners High School
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… 
INSET: Boarding Compliance – National Minimum StandardsThis 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….
INSET: ISI Personal Development – building resilience, self-confidence & independenceWhat 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… 
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…
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… 
F23 ISI Inspection Methodology for 2024The 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….
Boarding School Audit for Independent SchoolsVery 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… 
Single Academy Trust & School Governance ReviewJMC 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… 
ISI INSET : Improving Pupils’ Quality of EducationImpressed 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… 
Middle leaders INSET: Meaningful Lesson ObservationsStrategies 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…
ISI INSET: ISI Inspection – Understanding the ISSRsWe 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…. |
