About this departmental advice

This is advice from the Department. It is non-statutory, and has been produced to help recipients understand how to produce an action plan to meet the independent school standards.

Expiry/review date

This advice will be reviewed by September 2015, or the date on which the independent schools provisions of the Education and Skills Act 2008 are brought fully into force, if that is earlier.

Who is this advice for?

This advice is primarily for proprietors of independent schools who are required to produce an action plan showing how the school will meet the independent school standards. It may also be useful for schools inspectorates and independent school associations.

Key points

  • Independent schools which are found on inspection to be failing some of the independent school standards are likely to be issued with an action plan notice;
  • It is important that the format and content of an action plan enables a judgement to be made on the school’s success in rectifying the failings and this advice explains how schools should draw up action plans; and
  • This advice also explains what happens after an action plan is submitted to the Department.