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 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 2024?
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: 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… 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: Achieving Excellence in Pupil Personal DevelopmentThank 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… 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 : Metacognitive Feedback to Improve Pupil ProgressThanks for a fantastic INSET on Metacognition – Really looking forward to using the strategies in our lessons in the next few weeks The Marist School Sports Department ( via… 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… INSET: Developing a Knowledge Rich Curriculum in Science“Really engaging tutor who clearly knew his stuff” Sadia Mirza, HOD, Dr Challoners High School • Do you know what the changes that Ofsted are proposing?• How articulate are you… 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… 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,… 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… 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… 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… 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: 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: 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… INSET: Apprenticeship & Adult Skills Deep DivesThe Ofsted Ready Apprenticeship Programme: Preparing for a Deep Dive In April 2021 Ofsted became responsible for the inspection of apprenticeship provision at all levels. This was recommended in the Review… 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… 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: 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… 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… Mock Inspections for Non Association Independent Schools25% 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… 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…. 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…. 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… 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… 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… 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… 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… How to Prepare for an Ofsted Deep DiveThe 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… 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… 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… 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…. 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… 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 &… Academy & 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… MAT, Academy & School Inspection Training“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 School Staff… INSET : Curriculum Design: Intent, Implementation & ImpactThis 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… Safeguarding INSET: Single Central Record (SCR) Compliance“Expert advice and guidance delivered in a skilled and professional manner ” Mr W Sawyer, Head of Prep School, Yarm School The Single Central Record (SCR) is a key element… 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… Mock Ofsted 90 minute Educationally Focussed ConversationMock 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… 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 : 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. 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… Ofsted INSET : Quality of Education“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 Is your… Ofsted Special Measures Support for SchoolsWe maintain the strictest levels of confidentially throughout all our consultancy projects with schools & colleges especially concerning those judged as Ofsted inadequate or in Special Measures. Testimonials or references… 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… |