Collection

Ofsted inspections of non-association independent schools

This collection brings together information about how inspections work as well as resources for staff, inspectors and parents.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 2 December 2014
• Last updated: 17 September 2020 — See all updates

Ofsted inspects independent schools that are not members of associations. These are known as non-association independent schools.

Guidance for inspectors

• Education inspection framework (EIF)
  • 14 July 2023
  • Guidance
• Inspecting the curriculum
  • 14 May 2019
  • Guidance
• Independent schools inspection handbook
  • 11 October 2024
  • Guidance
• Additional inspections of independent schools: handbook for inspectors
  • 11 October 2024
  • Guidance
• Unregistered school inspection handbook
  • 1 September 2022
  • Guidance
• Inspectors talking to pupils on inspection
  • 28 September 2023
  • Guidance
• Inspecting teaching of the protected characteristics in schools
  • 31 August 2023
  • Guidance
• Safeguarding concerns: guidance for inspectors
  • 1 September 2021
• Separation by sex: implications for inspections of mixed-sex/co-educational schools
  • 31 August 2023
  • Guidance
• Ofsted's code of conduct: collaborative inspection and regulation
  • 3 September 2024
  • Guidance

Guidance for independent schools

• Inspecting non-association independent schools
  • 23 May 2024
  • Guidance
• Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence
  • 15 October 2024
  • Guidance
• Registering school-based childcare provision
  • 3 February 2017
  • Guidance
• Memorandum of understanding: independent schools
  • 7 November 2024
  • Corporate report
• Schools: Ofsted privacy notice
  • 1 November 2024

Ofsted Parent View

• Ofsted Parent View: toolkit for schools
  • 5 April 2022
  • Guidance
• Ofsted Parent View: management information
  • 14 November 2024
  • Statistical data set

Published 2 December 2014
Last updated 17 September 2020 + show all updates

1. 17 September 2020

   Added new guidance for inspectors on talking to pupils during inspection, inspecting schools where there is separation by sex and inspecting the teaching of protected characteristics.

2. 10 January 2019

   Added Independent school inspections from January 2019: note for inspectors.

3. 25 February 2016

   Updated with safeguarding concerns guidance for inspectors.

4. 11 September 2015

   Links updated to documents for use from September 2015.

5. 2 December 2014

   First published.