JMC were instrumental in our preparation for a recent I.S.I. 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 John and his 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
- Understanding the ISSRs
- Compliance Briefings and mentoring for key staff
- Safeguarding Updates e.g. KCSIE, Peer to Peer 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 by visiting and carrying out a ‘mock inspection’ – for more details click here
Our team continue to act as mentors or critical friends in these inspections helping your staff identify and issues and suggesting solutions.
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 |
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 &… 
Safeguarding INSET: KCSIE Compliance 2022This 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… 
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… 
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… 
School Improvement Review Service & AuditsWe 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… 
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… 
INSET : Advanced Marking & Feedback StrategiesTransformational David Luard, Northcote Lodge School Beyond Triple Impact Marking – making marking meaningful, manageable and motivating again! Just 45 per cent of primary and 44 per cent of secondary… 
Early Years Settings & Nursery Mock InspectionsFrom 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… 
INSET: Boarding School Staff Training for ISI Inspection• Is your 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 Independent… 
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 Do you apply the full range… 
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… 
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…
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 What is a Single Central Register or SCR? Why… 
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… 
ISI INSET : Regulatory Compliance (RCI)for Independent SchoolsReally 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… 
State Boarding School Audit: Academies, Free SchoolsIs 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: 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… 
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… 
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… 
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… 
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…
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… 
BSO INSET : Securing Excellence in ISI BSO EQIThis 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… 
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… 
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… 
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: 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… 
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…. 
BSO INSET : Exceeding the BSO StandardsThank 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 : ISI Excellent Pupil Outcomes for All studentsImpressed 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… 
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… 
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… 
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… 
Mock Ofsted Inspections for Schools, Colleges & 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… 
INSET : Marking & Feedback – Evidencing for InspectionWith 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 : 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… 
INSET: ISI Lesson Observation 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: Conducting a Meaningful Work ScrutinyDo you feel confident in the skills of conducting a work scrutiny? Do you know how to use book scrutiny to help other teachers improvement their practice? Do you understand… 
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,… 
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… 
Boarding School Audit for Independent & International schoolsVery 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… 
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… 
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…. 
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… 
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… 
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… 
Middle leaders INSET: Meaningful Lesson ObservationsStrategies 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… 
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… |