JMC’s inspection readiness review gave our leadership team clarity and confidence ahead of our Ofsted visit. Their understanding of the new framework—especially around inclusion and safeguarding—was invaluable.
Headteacher, Secondary Academy
Be Inspection-Ready with Confidence: Support for Schools, Colleges, and Alternative Provision Settings
Whether you’re preparing for an Ofsted or ISI inspection, JMC Education offers expert consultancy to help your school meet the latest expectations. With the 2025 frameworks now in place, inspections focus more than ever on clarity, compliance, and culture.
What’s New in the 2025 Ofsted Framework
- New Grading Scale: Schools are now graded on a 5-point scale—Exceptional, Strong Standard, Expected Standard, Needs Attention, and Urgent Improvement.
- Report Cards: Each evaluation area is reported separately, giving a clearer picture of strengths and areas for development.
- Secure Fit Judgements: Inspectors now look for consistent evidence across all criteria within a grade.
- Safeguarding: Judged on a ‘Met’ or ‘Not Met’ basis—no partial compliance.
- Inclusion: Now a standalone evaluation area, focusing on how well schools support disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, and others facing barriers to learning.
- Curriculum Evaluation: Inspectors engage in focused discussions with subject leaders and review curriculum planning, delivery, and impact.
ISI Framework (F23) Updates
- Stronger emphasis on leadership and governance
- Clear expectations around pupil wellbeing and safeguarding
- Compliance with Independent School Standards (ISSRs) and National Minimum Standards (NMS)
- Greater focus on self-evaluation and strategic planning
Is your school due an ISI Inspection in 2026?
JMC provide comprehensive mock inspections, each of our teams are led by an experienced Reporting Inspector.
JMC Inspection Team
How JMC Education Can Help
We offer tailored support for:
- Inspection preparation for Ofsted and ISI
- Mock inspections led by experienced consultants and former inspectors
- Safeguarding audits and Single Central Record reviews
- Inclusion and SEND strategy reviews
- Curriculum evaluation support for subject leaders
- Governor and trustee training
- External SEF development for self-evaluation and improvement planning
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 solution
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.
Key training areas:
- 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
“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
Flexible Support Options
- One-to-one leadership coaching
- Whole-school inspection readiness reviews
- Online and in-person training sessions
- Documentation and policy audits
- Strategic planning workshops
Get Started Today
Get inspection-ready—contact JMC Education for expert Ofsted or ISI support.
📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com
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
Whole school and Lead team INSET for preparing for inspection |
Ofsted Leadership Mentoring for Schools, Academies & APEmpowering School Leaders to Articulate Strategy, Impact and Next Steps with Confidence What is Leadership Mentoring? Our Leadership Mentoring is a bespoke support service designed to help senior and middle… 
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… 
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… 
Mock Inspection for Alternative Provision SettingsPrepare 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…
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 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… 
Mock Inspection for Independent SchoolsPrepare 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 : 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… 
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… 
MAT, Academy & School Inspection TrainingPrepare 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: 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… 
F23 ISI Inspection MethodologyThe 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…. 
Personalised ISI Inspection Mentoring for Heads & Deputy Heads“Excellent, the personalised ISI inspection mentoring was probably best CPD I have ever had! Alex Margerison – Deputy Headteacher, Northbridge House School, Cognita Schools Preparing for an ISI inspection is… 
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: 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… 
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 : 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: Creating a Culture of Thriving Through Personal DevelopmentWhy Personal Development Matters Under the New Framework The renewed Ofsted framework places significantly greater emphasis on pupil wellbeing, emotional safety and personal development, recognising these as foundations for effective… 
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… 
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… 
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… 
ISI Inspection Mentoring for the SENDCo or PSHE Co‑ordinator“Excellent, the personalised ISI inspection mentoring was probably best CPD I have ever had! Alex Margerison – Northbridge House School,Cognita Schools In many independent schools, the SENDCo and PSHE Co‑ordinator… 
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 &… 
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: 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….
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…. 
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… 
Preparing for Inspection: Ofsted Ready Curriculum & TeachingDelivering 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… 
INSET: Developing a Knowledge Rich Curriculum in Science“Really engaging tutor who clearly knew his stuff” Sadia Mirza, HOD, Dr Challoners High School 
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… 
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: Preparing Middle Leaders for ISI InspectionMiddle 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: 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… 
INSET: Ofsted Ready Subject Leader (2025 Framework)With Ofsted’s renewed focus on curriculum ambition, coherence, inclusion, and impact in the 2025 framework, this half-day course will examine how judgements are now formed under the new inspection framework…. 
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 ,…
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… 
Expert ISI Inspection Mentoring & Action Planning for SLTAre 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: 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… 
Mock Ofsted 90 minute call with the Lead InspectorMock Ofsted Planning call between the Head & the Lead Inspector The purpose of this service is to support headteachers in preparing for the 90 minute call with the lead… 
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… 
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. 
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…
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… 
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. 
SLT Guide to Ofsted’s “Needs Attention” Monitoring VisitsWith the launch of Ofsted’s new Education Inspection Framework in November 2025, school leaders must prepare for a significant shift in how inspections are conducted and reported. One of the… 
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: Preparing Middle leaders for ISI InspectionThis 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… 
INSET: Leading an Ofsted Ready SchoolLeading an Ofsted Ready School: Strategic Preparation Across the Inspection Framework This course equips headteachers and senior leaders to prepare confidently for inspection under the latest framework. Covering all six… 
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… 
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…. |