Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is a body approved for the purpose of inspection under Section 162A of the Education Act 2002. As such, it reports to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) on the extent to which schools meet statutory requirements. ISI is the agency responsible for the inspection of schools in membership of the Associations of the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

In addition to ISI inspection, the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools are inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted).

ISI inspections of independent schools are required to:

• report to the DCSF the extent to which ISC schools comply with the Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2003 and later amendments (referred to as the ‘regulatory requirements’);
• where applicable, report to Ofsted on compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006 including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS);
• assure ISC Associations that their member schools maintain the quality of provision expected;
• help schools to improve, and inform parents of the quality of member schools.

ISI inspection is for the benefit of the pupils in the schools and seeks to improve the quality and effectiveness of their education and of the care for their welfare. Inspection also provides objective and reliable reports on the quality of schools and, by placing reports in the public domain, makes the information available to parents, ISC Associations, government and the wider community. In this way, it helps schools, their staff and governors/proprietors to recognise and build on their strengths and to identify and remedy any weaknesses. Reports also address the issues relating to children, as set out in the document Every Child Matters: Change for Children (www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/aims).

Further information can be found on the ISI website