Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ISI?

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the agency responsible for the inspection of schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Associations. ISI is a body approved for the purpose of inspection under Section 162A of the Education Act 2005. As such, we report to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on the extent to which schools meet statutory requirements. The quality of our service is monitored by Ofsted on behalf of the DCSF.

ISI is a not-for-profit organisation, led by a Board of Directors which includes representatives of the ISC Associations. Day to day management is the responsibility of the Chief Inspector who is also a member of the Board.

The ISC Associations are the Association of Governing Bodies in Independent Schools (AGBIS), the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC), the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS), the Independent Schools Association (ISA), the Independent Schools Bursars Association (ISBA) and the Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools (SHMIS). Inspection reports are published on the ISI website.

ISI examines and reports on all educational provision for pupils, including those under five years of age, in its inspections. Independent schools have to register all provision for children under the age of three with Ofsted’s Early Years Directorate.

2. What are the purposes of ISI inspection?

The prime purposes of inspection by ISI are to evaluate the welfare and education of pupils, to help to improve the quality of education provided by the schools inspected and to confirm whether or not the school complies with the registration standards laid down by the DCSF.

The inspection system is designed to provide objective and reliable reports that include judgements about a school’s provision and the outcomes achieved. The report also includes recommendations which schools should use to improve their provision and pupils' achievement.

Schools applying to join one of the independent school Associations must first satisfactorily complete an ISI inspection before gaining initial accreditation.

Schools already in membership of an Association are reaccredited by regular inspection and ISI advises the associations on whether schools meet the standards required for membership. Currently, inspections occur every six years. From Autumn 2009, inspections will take place more frequently. Schools where significant concerns have been raised may be inspected without notification at any time.

3. What does an ISI report look like?

ISI reports follow a common format, and provide information on the education, care and welfare of pupils, and the governance and management aspects of a school’s provision as follows:

1. Introduction

The report begins with a section on the characteristics of the school and provides a summary of the context and circumstances of the school.

2. The Quality of Education

2.1 The Educational Experience Provided

How effectively the curriculum and extra-curricular activities support the school’s declared aims and philosophy and meets the needs of the children.

2.2 Pupils’ Learning and Achievements

How successfully pupils acquire knowledge, skills and understanding and their ability to apply these and think and act critically and creatively in relation to them. Reports on any significant difference in relative attainment between different groups of pupils, subjects or curricular areas, results of national tests and examinations, and significant individual, group and team achievements.

2.3 Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development of Pupils

2.4 The Quality of Teaching (Including Assessment)

Effectiveness of teaching in helping pupils to make progress, enjoy learning, stimulate interest and meet their needs.

3. The Quality of Care and Relationships

3.1 The Quality of Pastoral Care, and the Welfare, Health and Safety of Pupils

How effectively the school supports and guides pupils; the impact of pastoral arrangements and discipline procedures; relations of pupils with staff and amongst themselves; and measures to safeguard and promote pupils’ health and well-being.

3.2 The Quality of Links with Parents and the Community

What strategies are in place to communicate with parents and respond to their views; their opportunities for involvement; the school’s handling of any parental concerns or complaints; and the effectiveness of the school’s links with the wider community.

3.3 The Quality of Boarding Education

Where relevant, the quality of boarding education is assessed. ISI examines the impact of boarding on pupils' education, care and welfare. It does not at present inspect the National Minimum Boarding Standards as this is covered by Ofsted.

4. The Effectiveness of Governance and Management

4.1 The Quality of Governance

How well the structure and management arrangements relating to the governing body/proprietor(s) are defined and support effective oversight of the school. How effectively the governing body/proprietor(s) discharge their responsibilities and are appropriately involved in the strategic development of the school.

4.2 The Quality of Leadership and Management

To what extent managers provide clear educational direction, and are effective in analysing the school’s needs and securing appropriate resources to meet them. How effectively managers secure sufficient high quality staff. How well financial resources are managed in support of educational aims, and to meet the needs of the schools’ pupils. The efficiency of the school’s administration.

5. Conclusions and Next Steps

A summary of the main findings and recommendations for improvement.

4. Who serves on ISI inspections?

ISI inspection teams are led by a qualified Reporting Inspector who is normally a former HMI (Her Majesty’s Inspector), Ofsted Registered Inspector or a suitably trained and experienced independent school headteacher. The reporting inspector is supported by a team of other inspectors drawn mainly from senior teachers currently serving in independent schools. All ISI team inspectors have successfully completed appropriate training on which they are assessed for their suitability as inspectors.

5. How are parents and pupils involved in the inspection process?

In advance of inspection a confidential questionnaire, which includes sections on academic matters, pastoral care, boarding (where applicable) and general issues, is sent to all parents. The completed questionnaires are returned in sealed envelopes to the reporting inspector for analysis. Parents’ comments are taken into account by the inspection team when carrying out an inspection and in considering their judgements.

Pupils are interviewed, both formally and informally, by inspectors during the inspection. In addition, schools are offered the opportunity to include a confidential pupil questionnaire survey into their inspection and most choose to do so. During the inspection inspectors closely scrutinise pupils’ work and discuss other aspects of school life with pupils.

6. How is boarding inspected?

The detailed inspection of the National Minimum Boarding Standards is undertaken by Ofsted. ISI works in partnership with Ofsted for the inspection of boarding schools.

ISI teams always consider the impact of boarding on the outcomes for all pupils in the school. These findings are included in different sections of the report as well as in the specific section which reports on The Quality of Boarding.

Wherever possible, Ofsted inspections of boarding and ISI inspections of the whole school will be conducted together. Each will produce its own report, sent to all parents. Where joint inspection is not possible, ISI inspectors will not inspect the National Minimum Boarding Standards but will check whether schools have followed up the recommendations of the previous welfare inspection report.

7. What if parents have concerns about their child’s school?

Complaints or grievances about a school should first be tackled through the school’s own procedures. Schools are required to have and follow a published complaints procedure, available to parents. The details of this regulation can be found in Part 3 of the ISI Inspection Handbook.

Parents can also raise concerns related to the quality of education or the welfare health or safety of pupils, by writing to ISI directly to: Durell Barnes, Head of Communications, Independent Schools Inspectorate, CAP House, 9-12 Long Lane, London EC1A 9HA, or email durell.barnes@isi.net. Concerns will be recorded and may be copied to the DCSF. However, ISI will not investigate disputes about fees or specific complaints about pupils no longer at the school. If DCSF considers concerns to be numerous or of a sufficiently serious nature then it may instruct ISI to visit the school before its next inspection. This may be without notice where they consider children’s welfare or safety to be at risk. ISI forwards all letters expressing serious concerns to the DCSF and places them on file for action or reference at a future inspection.

Parents can also contact the registration authority directly: Georgina Carney, DCSF, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, DL3 9BG (telephone 01325 392164, e-mail Georgina.Carney@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk).

If concerns relate to bullying or possible child abuse, then in addition to ISI, parents can contact either the child protection unit of the Local Authority Social Services Department (SSD) or Georgina Carney (see above).

If the school is about to be inspected, then parents may also indicate any concerns in their responses to the confidential parental survey. Inspectors will take account of parents comments and report on any significant issues. During the inspection process, analysis of the survey and any significant issues raised are shared with the school but individual respondents are not identified or discussed. Inspectors will not become involved in individual disputes.

8. Will ISI ensure that the school is safe for my child?

Inspectors are required to check that schools follow the regulatory requirements and take proper precautions to ensure safety and to report honestly on their findings. In boarding schools, the local authority Social Service Departments and Ofsted are the main agencies to inspect and follow up matters of welfare. ISI inspections report on whether concerns raised in previous welfare inspection reports have been tackled. Associations also check that any identified weaknesses are dealt with and must confirm this to the DCSF, who have the power to intervene at any point. No inspection can guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong and it is not the role of inspection to carry out an exhaustive health and safety audit. However, hazards and concerns that are identified must be dealt with by the school.

9. What is done about the reports and their recommendations?

ISI advises each Association (see above) about the suitability for membership of its member schools. It also advises the DCSF whether a school inspected meets the statutory requirements for registration. After receiving its report, each school has to inform the Association of the actions it intends to take to deal with any deficiencies or areas for improvement referred to in the report. The school also has the opportunity to comment on though not change the teams findings and on the conduct of the inspection itself. This is a valuable part of ISI’s quality assurance.

Associations review reports, on their member schools along with the school’s response and determines whether any further action is needed. In some cases, they may seek further assurances or may organise a visit to the school to check or guide. All this is carefully recorded and communicated to the DCSF and ISI.

ISI also advises the DCSF whether each school meets the statutory requirements. If there are failings in relation to the regulations, then the DCSF writes to the school and asks for an action plan to deal with any shortcomings.

10. What if the school has serious weaknesses?

That will be made clear in the report, just as reports will celebrate the strengths schools have. If the report indicates that a school is failing to provide an adequate standard of education, care, welfare or safety, the DCSF may ask ISI or HM Inspectors of schools to make a further visit to the school. In such a case, the Association may require the school to have a follow-up inspection before reconfirming membership and could, if not satisfied that the school meets their standards, withdraw membership altogether. In other cases involving welfare, health, safety or hygiene, DCSF can call in other relevant agencies to inspect. If the school fails to improve, the DCSF can initiate action to remove the school from the register and so stop it from operating. This is very rare in the case of ISC schools.

11. How does ISI monitor the quality of its inspections?

ISI has extensive QA procedures for each part of the inspection process and uses the findings to continuously improve its effectiveness and efficiency. A sample of inspections and reports are monitored each term by ISI and a further sample are monitored by Ofsted, on behalf of the DCSF. Each year Ofsted makes public a report on its findings. ISI also seeks feedback from schools, Associations and inspectors on the quality of the inspections. Each team member is appraised by the reporting inspector and in turn completes an evaluation of the inspection.

12. Can inspection reports help me to choose my child’s school?

Yes they can. A report should indicate how well the education caters for pupils of different needs and abilities, how broad the education is, what the atmosphere of the school is like in terms of the ethos, behaviour of pupils and relationships, and how well pupils are cared for. Reports, however, are no substitute for a personal visit to the school to evaluate for yourself the extent to which you think it will suit the talents, character and needs of your own child. Few schools are equally suited to every kind of pupil. Our reports are not designed to provide a ranking or league table of schools.

13. Can I directly compare Ofsted and ISI reports?

Both reports are based on the common framework of the Independent School Standards Regulations. In addition to these requirements, ISI examines the governance and management of the school and provides a more detailed analysis of its provision. Both ISI and Ofsted reports will make clear whether schools do or do not meet the regulatory requirements.

14. What are the differences between current ISI reports and those published before 2006?

The second cycle of ISI inspections started in January 2006. Current reports place greater emphasis on school self-evaluation and the school is judged on the extent to which it fulfils its aims. The executive summary of second cycle reports is at the end, followed by next steps for action. Reports pre-2006 included an audit of subject departments within the school and these are not a feature of current inspections.

15. How are inspections organised?

The procedures for organising inspections are covered in Part 2 of the Handbook for inspection and the Heads Advice.

16. How are the Independent School Standards and other Regulations inspected?

This is covered in Part 3 of the Handbook and in regulatory updates.

17. Are all independent schools inspected by ISI?

No. About 80% of all children in private (i.e. not state maintained) schools are educated in ISC member schools and so are inspected by ISI. These schools cover the full range of day and boarding schools educating children and students from 0-18. However, the remaining 20% of children are in schools not in membership of ISC. These independent schools are inspected by SIS (Focus Learning Trust schools) or Ofsted and its agents. Please follow the links to view the Ofsted and SIS web sites.

18. How frequently are schools inspected?

Currently, a full inspection takes place every 6 years, though in special circumstances a visit may be made at any time. However, from Autumn 2009 all inspections will follow a shorter cycle.

19. When will schools know the date of the inspection?

Schools know that they can expect inspection at the 6 year point, usually but not always in the same term. Currently, schools know the date of their inspection 9-12 months in advance. From Autumn 2009 the notice period will be significantly reduced. Please see the Heads Advice.

20. What should heads do if they have concerns about the preparation leading up to their inspection?

Schools should not need to engage in lengthy preparation for their inspection. If they have concerns relating to the date of the inspection they should contact Lisa Brooks, the Head of Administration (020 7776 8831; lisa.brooks@isi.net). If their concerns relate to the composition of the team, they should contact their allocated teambuilder. If their concerns relate to the completion of the pre-inspection information or other documentation, they should contact Paul Westwood the Information Services Manager (020 7776 8836; paul.westwood@isi.net). Any other queries, please contact the Head of Communications, Durell Barnes, ISI, 1st Floor, CAP House, 9-12 Long Lane, London EC1A 9HA (020 7776 8830; durell.barnes@isi.net).

21. What attention is paid to other inspection reports on the school?

Schools which have had inspections by other inspectorates, for example Ofsted/CSCI (boarding) or Ofsted (Early Years) must send a copy of the report to the reporting inspector. The findings of the inspections are considered as part of the evidence base for ISI inspection and the report will comment on the improvements made. Inspectors also refer to the previous ISI inspection report on the school to determine what progress has been made since the last inspection.

Overseas schools should provide relevant reports relating to, for example, the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and the Council for International Schools (CIS). The inspectors will consider the findings of such reports as part of the overall evidence base.

22. How can I get hold of general information about independent schools in the UK?

Contact the Independent Schools Council (ISC). ISI deal only with inspection.

23. How can I get hold of a copy of an inspection report if it is not on ISI’s website, or the school’s own website?

Inspection reports prior to 2000 are not held on the ISI website. Since 2000 schools have been obliged to send a copy of the report to any interested party on request. They may make a small charge to cover photocopying and postage. After an inspection. the school is required to send a copy of the inspection report to all parents within two weeks of receiving the final report.

24. How do I apply to be a team inspector?

Click here to read about the process in How to become a Team Inspector.

25. Are Independent Schools required to have a complaints procedure in place?

From September 2003, it is a legal requirement for independent schools to have a complaints procedure made available to all parents.

26. How do I complain about a school?

Please see the answer to Question 7 above.