Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

Since 2019, ISI has not been monitored by Ofsted. ISI approved by the Secretary of State for Education, while the DfE is responsible for regulating independent schools in England.

Under ministerial direction, ISI and Ofsted have a joint working arrangement based around the mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding, with a view to informing best practice in each organisation. This results in an annual report by Ofsted to the Secretary of State for Education, which provides a summary of collaborative activities undertaken.

Both ISI and Ofsted report on the extent to which independent schools meet the statutory Independent Schools Standards. ISI and Ofsted use different inspection frameworks and report their findings differently.

ISI inspections focus on whether schools meet these standards, alongside an evaluation of pupils’ wellbeing. ISI’s new framework does not use single word judgements or grades; instead, inspectors report on whether standards are met or unmet with a reference to each section of the framework. By contrast, Ofsted uses its own inspection framework and ‘report card’ system to evaluate schools. Further information can be found on the inspections explained part of the ISI website or within our inspection report template and writing guidance.

Another difference is that ISI inspection teams largely consist of practising senior leaders currently working in ISC schools, whereas Ofsted inspectors have not necessarily run a school. This means ISI inspectors are realistic and knowledgeable about the challenges for individual schools and their reports are more nuanced. 

ISI reports are also less data driven than with Ofsted, although Ofsted has ditched exam results as criteria for success.

In addition, ISI reports stand out for the attention they give to whether a school meets its own aims. These tend to be more specific to the school and fuller than in the state sector.

We think ISI reports give a good overview of a school for interested parents. Where an association school has early years provision, the inspection arrangements depend on how that provision is registered. ISI can inspect Ofsted-registered early years settings within the schools it inspects, using the relevant Ofsted inspection framework and guidance. Other early years provision within the school is evaluated against the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework as part of the wider ISI inspection.

The ISI’s system takes into account the school’s provision and outcomes for pupils, indicating how well the education caters for pupils of different needs and abilities, how broad the education is and the atmosphere of the school – in terms of the ethos, behaviour of pupils and relationships – and how well pupils are cared for.

What sections are included in an ISI inspection report?

You can expect quite a bit of detail, split across the following sections:

• Section 1: Leadership and management, and governance

• Section 2: Pupils' education, training and recreation

• Section 3: Pupils' physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Section 4: Pupils' social and economic wellbeing and contribution to society

• Safeguarding

Remember to read between the lines – as with Ofsted, ‘low-level disruption’ might sound irrelevant, but in fact it can be the most irritating kind, the sort that’s much worse for other pupils than the occasional, spectacular blow-out followed by a quick expulsion.

It is worth looking carefully at the selectivity of the intake. Excellent exam results tend to lead to excellent reports but if the school is non-selective, and lots of independent schools are, you need to be aware of this.

Are parents consulted during an ISI inspection?

ISI invites parents, pupils and staff to complete a confidential pre-inspection questionnaire. Headline survey data and relevant themes may be shared with the headteacher, but the confidentiality of individual respondents is paramount.

Are ISI reports less critical than Ofsted?

This is a common perception but it’s worth noting that the percentage of schools that fail to meet one or more of the Independent Schools Standards is very similar for ISI inspected association schools and Ofsted inspected non-association schools. ISI publishes this information in its annual report and Ofsted publishes on the GOV.UK website.

Schools undergo a routine inspection typically once every three years. Decisions to undertake a non-routine inspection are taken by DfE – the regulator for independent schools – which may ask ISI to inspect a school at any time and at short notice or with no notice. This can occur if ISI has a sudden, unexpected reason to be concerned about a school and will usually be around a child protection issue.

ISI inspection reports are sent to the DfE. Where a school fails to meet one or more of the Independent School Standards, the DfE decides what next step is appropriate. This can include requiring the school to produce an action plan setting out how and when it will put matters right, followed by a progress monitoring inspection. A school repeatedly failing to meet the standards can be removed from the register of independent schools.

A overview of what happens if a school fails to meet one or more of the standards can be found in ISI’s inspection handbook.

Boarding schools and day schools are routinely inspected at the same frequency, but the inspection teams for boarding schools tend to be larger and inspection activities differ in some respects. These inspections look at boarding welfare and inspect against the National Minimum Standards for boarding schools – a very long list!