Introduction Mohammad Ismail Imam of BCM/ School Inspector ISP/Safeguarding and Community Cohesion Consultant in CYPD Sheffield

The legal requirements for registration and inspection of independent schools

Section 157 of the Education Act 2002 specifies that regulations setting out the standards that independent schools must meet should be made on the following matters:  the quality of education provided by the school  the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils  the welfare, health and safety of pupils  the suitability of proprietor and staff  the school's premises and accommodation  the provision of information for parents, carers and others  the procedures for handling complaints.

The inspection of an independent school is carried out by Ofsted under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002, as amended, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

The purpose of inspection The Education and Inspections Act 2006 sets out three overriding considerations which Ofsted is now required to bear in mind in everything it does:  to promote improvement in the services it inspects or regulates;  to ensure that these services focus on the interests of children, parents, adult learners and employers who use them; and  to see that these services are as efficient and effective as possible. The framework for inspecting independent schools reflects these aims.

Inspector’s code of conduct Inspectors are required to uphold the highest professional standards in their work and to ensure that everyone they encounter during inspections is treated fairly and with respect. These standards are assured through a code of conduct which requires inspectors to:  evaluate objectively, be impartial and inspect without fear or favour  evaluate provision in line with frameworks, national standards or requirements  base all evaluations on clear and robust evidence  have no connection with the provider which could undermine their objectivity  report honestly and clearly, ensuring that judgements are fair and reliable

 carry out their work with integrity, treating all those they meet with courtesy, respect and sensitivity  endeavour to minimise the stress on those involved in the inspection  act in the best interests and well-being of service users  maintain purposeful and productive dialogue with those being inspected, and communicate judgements clearly and frankly  respect the confidentiality of information, particularly about individuals and their work  respond appropriately to reasonable requests  take prompt and appropriate action on any safeguarding or health and safety issues.

Full S162 A Inspection LTI Inspection PM Visit Announced Visit Unannounced Visit New School Registration Visit

What happens to new schools? Proprietors wishing to open a new school must apply to the DCSF for registration. They will be asked to supply the information set out in Statutory Instrument 2003 No.1934 The Education (Provision of Information by Independent Schools) (England) Regulations 2003.

Proprietors must also provide evidence of the school’s ability to meet the standards required by Statutory Instrument 2003 No.1910 The Education (Independent Schools Standards) (England) Regulations 2003.

Once registered, a new school will receive an inspection in the first year after its registration and will be expected to complete and keep updated a School Information and Evaluation Form (SIEF). From September 2009 all inspection reports on new schools will be published on Ofsted’s website.

Dear [HEADTEACHER NAME] Registration Application I am writing on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (HMCI) to confirm that your school will be visited under section 162A of the Education Act 2005 on [date of visit] and the inspector [name of lead inspector] is expected to arrive at [start time].

Independent school inspection General guidance for schools on the inspection process and completion of the school information and self-evaluation form (SIEF)

Schools are not expected to prepare anything extra for inspectors, but should make the following documents available during the inspection:  a printed copy of the completed SIEF (for new schools self audit checklist form)  the school prospectus, including the Early Years Foundation Stage prospectus if appropriate  class lists showing pupils’ names and national curriculum year groups  in the case of tutorial colleges, timetables of each of the students who are of compulsory school age

 records of pupils’ attainment and progress  for pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, their statements of special educational needs, annual reviews and individual education plans  for pupils who are looked after, their individual files including personal education plans and pathway plans, as well as reviews of progress  reports and other information provided to parents and, where appropriate, placing authorities  curriculum plans, timetables and schemes of work

school policy documents (as per regulations), including:  curriculum, teaching, assessment and other supporting policies  admissions, discipline and exclusions  behaviour and sanctions adopted  prevention of bullying  safeguarding children in education, including child protection  first aid and medication  health and safety  health and safety on educational visits

 admission and attendance registers  records of any accidents, incidents and exclusions that have taken place  records of child protection training undertaken by named officers and all staff  records of first aid training undertaken by staff  records of any other training undertaken, for example in relation to the use of physical restraint  details of induction training for new staff

 health and safety checks carried out to meet regulations, including risk assessments  records of fire safety checks and risk assessments and the training carried out to meet regulations  central register showing records of checks made on all staff for suitability to work with children, including confirmation of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks (inspectors will expect to have access to staff personnel files)  where appropriate, a list including roles, responsibilities and qualifications for those staff working within the Early Years Foundation Stage

 the complaints policy and records of complaints  a Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) written accessibility plan  most recent reports by other inspectorates (for example, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) or the British Accreditation Council (BAC))  school improvement plan (if available)  records of the school’s own monitoring of the quality of education or evaluations carried out by others (if available)  information on each child being cared for in the Early Years Foundation Stage (see page 38 of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)  provider’s records for the Early Years Foundation Stage (see page 40 of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

 where relevant, the achievements, interests and learning styles of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, written summaries reporting on children’s progress against the early learning goals and assessment scales and the Early Years Foundation Stage Profiles  the exemption documentation/certificate for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage who have been granted exemptions from parts of the curriculum or from assessment by the Secretary of State through the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

Staff lists and responsibilities Assessments and tracking of pupil progress Attainment on entry evidence Evidence of all the areas of learning being planned for on a termly and annual basis Racial/bulling log and race equality, bullying, behaviour policy First aid policy

First aid at work/Essential First Aid course certificate at least one Paediatric first aid certificate Accident log Medicines administered record Health and safety policy Risk assessment eg. An activity/outing for pupils Annual risk assessment Fire drill log Attendance record

Admissions register School policy for child protection/safeguarding Evidence of designated person training in the last 2 years/ designated person is booked onto a level 3 course in the near future Training record Single Central Record School development plan DDA plan references taken up on staff/ medical forms Reports for parents and sample of pupil targets Prospectus/information for parents Complaints policy

Self-audit Checklist for School Use