Part 10 of the Education Act 2002 requires all independent schools to be registered with the Department. Applications for registration of new schools must be made before the school begins to operate and admit pupils. Regulations made under the Education Act 2002 set out the standards all independent schools in England must satisfy as a condition of registration. These 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 by Ofsted before an application for registration is approved and also within the first year of operation. Thereafter, independent schools will continue to be inspected on a regular cycle by Ofsted or one of the three approved independent inspectorates: Independent School Inspectorate (ISI), School Inspection Service (SIS) or the Bridge Schools Inspectorate, 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 majority of independent schools will undergo regular three yearly inspections in a six yearly cycle. However from September 2012, those mainstream schools with good or outstanding inspection reports will be inspected at intervals of up to six years.

Provision for under-threes and the welfare of boarders will continue to be inspected every three years and the welfare of pupils in special schools will continue to be inspected annually.  Further information on the inspection arrangements for independent schools is available within Part E on page 24.

The Department has prepared an information pack that sets out for proprietors the requirements of the legislation and helps those intending to apply for registration to submit the necessary documentation. The pack gives advice on those points most commonly raised by independent schools. It can not 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 tailored advice.

We aim to process applications for registration as an independent school within six months. 

Guidance on improving the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

The Department has produced non-statutory guidance for independent schools following an Ofsted review of the regulatory requirements governing the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils in independent schools. This can be downloaded from this page.

Contact details

IEBT
Department for Education
Mowden Hall
Darlington
DL3 9BG
Telephone: 01325 735562
Fax: 01325 392128

Registration enquiries mailbox
Email: registration.enquiries@education.gsi.gov.uk