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Registration of Independent Schools
With effect from 1st September 2003 , the Education Act 2002 extended the definition of an independent school. In addition to any establishment which provides full time education for 5 or more children of compulsory school age (without statements and ‘looked after' status), it now includes any establishment which provides full time education for one (or more) child of compulsory school age who has a statement of special educational needs, or is looked after by a local authority.
If you fall into the latter category and are also a registered Children's Home you will have received the Department's letter of 8 December 2006 . You can complete the required pro forma by clicking here. The deadline for response is 12 January 2007 .
Part 10 of the Education Act 2002 requires that all independent schools must be registered with the Department for Education and Skills. Applications for registration by new schools must be made before a school begins to operate and admit pupils. Regulations made under the Education Act 2002 set out a range of standards that all independent schools in England must satisfy as a condition of registration. The regulations cover:-
- The quality of education provided,
- The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
- The welfare, health and safety of pupils
- The suitability of proprietors and staff
- The premises and accommodation
- The provision of information and the way in which complaints are handled.
These standards will be examined before an application for registration is approved and thereafter during the regular 6-yearly cycle of inspections that all independent schools will be required to undergo to ensure they continue to meet the standards for registration. The 2002 Act provides for action to be taken where schools do not meet the standards.
The Department has prepared an information pack that is intended to set out for proprietors the requirements of the legislation and to help those intending to apply for registration to submit the necessary documentation. It attempts to offer advice on those points most commonly raised by independent schools. It cannot attempt to offer an authoritative statement on all matters relating to the regulation of independent schools and given the diversity of the sector schools may wish to request individual advice.
Download the information pack (word document 277KB)
Download the
Registration Form (word Document 282KB)
Completed registration forms should be emailed to registration.enquiries@dfes.gsi.gov.uk
21 January 2008
DCSF has approved in principle the Bridge Schools' Inspectorate to inspect independent schools affiliated to the Christian Schools Trust and the Association of Muslim Schools.Once the Inspectorate's detailed operational arrangements are agreed, we will prepare a formal agreement.
For further information or clarification on any points raised in this pack, please contact the Independent Schools Registration Team:
Tel: 01325 392159
Fax: 01325 392128
E-mail: wendy.sanderson@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Or write to:
Independent Schools Registration Team
DfES
Mowden Hall
DARLINGTON
DL3 9BG
The Department now has the following agreements in place between Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) from OFSTED and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the inspection arm of the Independent Schools Council, for the inspection of independent schools and between HMI from Ofsted and the Schools Inspection Service, the inspection arm of Focus Learning:
Download the OFSTED Agreement Letter
Download the ISI agreement Letter
Download the Schools Inspection Service Agreement
For further information contact the Independent Schools Registration Team:
Tel: 01325 3921 62
Fax: 01325 3921 28
E-mail: stephanie.lidster@dfes.gov.uk
Or write to:
Independent Schools Registration Team
DfES
Mowden Hall
DARLINGTON
DL3 9BG
Independent Schools Common Questions
Download the document in MS Word Format
