Preparing for Inspection in Independent schools

Mrs M A Buckingham 16.04.10

Update 2010

Purpose of session

Inspection – an up date

Self evaluation - How well is my school doing ?

What does a school need to do to prepare for an inspection ?

All independent schools to be inspected on a regular basis (section 162A) - THE FRAMEWORK FOR INSPECTING INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS EDUCATION ACT 2002 ( as amended 2005)

New schools must meet the standards before they are allowed to open. Inspected by Ofsted

New Contractors – September 2009 - now 3 regional CfBT-North of England; Serco – Midlands; Tribal - south

monitored by Ofsted

Independent schools must meet regulations within each of the 7 Standards but …

Inspection Up date

What may be about to change ?

The 7 or 8 standards: The quality of education provided by the school (1) The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

of pupils (2) The welfare, health and safety of pupils (3) The suitability of proprietors and staff (4) The school’s premises and accommodation (5) The provision of information (6) The procedures for handling complaints (7) Leadership and management (8)? (Education and Skills Act

2008)

What is part of inspection ?

Parent and pupil questionnaires Oral feedback to teachers during inspection and

senior managers/proprietor at end Short, clear report, focusing on regulations Report will state what the school must do to meet

regulations if any are non compliant Inspection aim to be developmental and helpful to

the school; rigorous and precise about the regulations.

What does it mean for my school ?

Not just for the inspection …

Ongoing self evaluation…

Headteachers and senior managers - monitor and review …

More than the regulations…

How can schools prepare ?

Head teachers, senior management teams, governing bodies /Trustees:

Know the regulations- keep up to date SELF AUDIT CHECK LIST – self evaluation Have the evidence ready… documentation -

see list in guidance/ file for each standard ? Training for staff (CPD) School improvement/action plan SIEF – have ready (electronically)

School self evaluation

SIEF ‘ …honest and robust…’ Judgements based on evidence – quality of

provision: What are we doing ? How well are we doing it ? HOW DO WE KNOW ? Link to regulations and school improvement plan OUTCOMES for PUPILS…

SIEF (1)

Factual information (characteristics/ data)

7 standards and regulations – your school’s judgment on compliance

Key strengths and priorities for development / what may hinder progress

Reflect parents’ and pupils’ views

SIEF (2)

Involve the whole school lead by the headteacher ( including GB/ Trustees)

Keep SIEF up to dateSchool’s Judgments – criteria

SIEF (3)

Judgements: outstanding; good; satisfactory; inadequate

Criteria for each standard (used by inspectors too e.g. teaching and learning)

Q. What best fits our school provision ? …for all pupils… Report judgments … will reflect school’s self

evaluation

SIEF (4)

Every Child Matters (ECM)- references throughout the SIEF

How well are your pupils achieving against the 5 ECM outcomes ?

Enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; skills for future economic well-being; healthy life styles and staying safe

Will refer to ECM in the written report and your SIEF judgements

Other new matters…

LEA views on placements they fund (e.g. SEN)

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) regulations

‘Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education’ in force January 2007

New Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

(Pupil Registration) Regulations 2006…

Safeguarding children… ‘Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education’ in

force January 2007 (DCSF) Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) Proprietors of independent schools: similar responsibilities to GB

in maintained schools Child Protection policy (Regulation 3(2)(b)) – Local Safeguarding

Children Board (LSCB) – checks; procedures; Annual review Designated person(s) and all staff – training Records – ALL staff - Single central record of recruitment

and vetting checks… in addition to …staff records…

Safeguarding children… Central record must indicate that all the necessary

checks and procedures have been followed… E.g. check identity; qualifications check; right to

work in UK; CRB… medical fitness; character references; employment history…

Standard 4 - suitability of proprietor and staff…role of proprietor

Make a ‘table’ for central record and check list for each staff file…

Next steps… ‘My personal action plan’

Keep up to date…

Ongoing development planning…part of the process…for whole school ( including CPD)

Be clear and sure of your (the school’s) purpose for pupils…