Regulatory requirements
Schools are inspected against several regulatory requirements and preparing for inspection means understanding each set clearly:
Key Regulatory frameworks:
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Independent School Standards - ISI inspects compliance with the ISSRs (education regulations).
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Boarding Standards - applied where boarding is offered.
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Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework - applied where EYFS provision exists.
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Equality, rights and citizenship - schools must have an accessibility plan based on the Equality Act and must not use corporal punishment.
Other inspection types
UK schools planning or making material changes should seek Secretary of State approval in advance of making any changes and be aware that changes may require an inspection for approval. More information can be found here.
ISI Guidance - Inspecting in mixed schools that separate by gender
Please also see this DfE 'note' regarding non-routine inspections, such as progress monitoring inspections, material change inspections and additional inspections.