This course has passed.

Overview

Inspections undertaken by the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) seek to improve the quality of education, the welfare of students and ensure that schools are compliant with statutory requirements. To get the best out of the inspection process, schools need to be aware of the standards and expectations of inspectors and be prepared for the documentation that ISI requires.

On this Excelling at Independent School Inspections course, receive expert guidance on the inspections process from the point of notification to the production of the final report. Hear from best practice case studies that provide you with a clear understanding of the inspection process and the expectations and approach of the ISI.

Through a range of theory and practical exercises, gain essential knowledge on how to prepare for an inspection and demonstrate success in key inspection areas alongside developing an improvement strategy to take away for your school.

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Learning Outcomes

  • Gain a thorough understanding of the inspection process and the standards and expectations of inspectors
  • Ensure that your school and its policies are compliant with the Independent School Standards Regulations in order to feel prepared for future inspections
  • Know how to demonstrate success in key inspection areas
  • Learn how to best utilise data to monitor progress and evidence improvement
  • Develop a school improvement strategy to improve inspection outcomes

In-House Option

Hello

Agenda

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09:15 - 09:45

Registration

09:45 - 10:00

Chair’s Welcome and Introduction

10:00 - 11:15

Understanding Developments to the Independent Inspections Framework

  • Explore developments to the Independent Inspections Framework for 2018
  • Understand the inspections process and the differences between educational quality and regulatory compliance inspections
  • Establish how to identify documentation needed to demonstrate compliance with regulations and how to assess whether they are compliant with requirements
  • Examine the standards and expectations of inspectors in terms of outcomes for pupils in terms of achievement and personal development
  • Understand how inspectors will assess the behaviour and safety of students and what they will be looking for with regard to safeguarding policies
  • Understand how inspectors are using data and what thresholds they apply
  • Learn how to best utilise data to monitor progress and evidence of improvement
11:15 - 11:30

Morning Break

11:30 - 12:30

Achieving at Inspection: How to Prepare Staff, Governors and Pupils for Inspection

  • Examine useful resources for carrying out self-evaluation in preparation for an inspection
  • Recognise how the inspection will be carried out and what types of evidence and documentation to have available
  • Learn how to demonstrate the impact on outcomes for pupils of contributory factors like quality of leadership, management, teaching and learning, and pastoral care
  • Establish how to illustrate the school’s success in terms of pupils’ achievements and personal development in order to aid the inspection when it is taking place
12:30 - 13:30

Lunch

13:30 - 14:15

Inspection of Boarding Settings

  • Be prepared for inspection of boarding provision and ensure that National Minimum Standards for boarding are met
  • Know what is needed in relation to the welfare of boarding pupils
  • Appreciate how to demonstrate the impact of boarding provision on pupils’ achievement and personal development
  • Understand challenges you may face during the inspection process and how to avoid common pitfalls
14:15 - 16:00

Workshop: Evaluating Inspection Findings and Create an Effective School Improvement Strategy

  • Consider the criteria and grade descriptors for educational quality outcomes to assist in judging your own school
  • Examine a sample of a published report which includes the Inspector’s comments
  • How to manage feedback and respond to recommendations
  • Anticipate when inspections will take place
  • Consider the role of governors in the inspection process and in school improvement planning
  • Work with the Chair and peers to develop a strategy for improving school inspection outcomes
  • Specify the steps you will take to meet current standards
16:00 - 16:15

Feedback, Evaluation and Close