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Press release: The Independent Schools Inspectorate consolidates improvements made in the quality of its inspections

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) today publishes its annual evaluation of inspections carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which inspects independent schools affiliated to the Independent Schools Council.

The report, Independent Schools Council Inspections, finds that the ISI made good progress in improving the quality of its inspections and its inspection reports in the academic year 2004-05. The standard of both inspections and reports is now almost invariably good.

The report finds that the ISI has acted on the recommendations made by Ofsted in its evaluation last year. The consistency and quality of reports has improved and inspectors are now making explicit judgements when reporting on school management. Improvements have ensured that final judgements at team meetings are reached corporately and unequivocally and the ISI ensures a good match between the needs of the inspection and the expertise and experience of the inspection team. However, occasionally, subject feedback is less effective because there is too little time allowed for discussion, or reporting provides insufficient detail, lacks clarity, or is speculative.

Of the 24 ISI inspections monitored by Ofsted in the year 2004-05, 23 were judged to be good and one satisfactory. This is an improvement on the previous year and a direct result of the continued good work of the reporting inspectors and the generally effective deployment of team inspectors.

Inspections are well led and well managed. The evaluation of the school’s arrangements for meeting the regulatory requirements is thorough in almost all inspections. The vast majority of inspection reports paint a convincing picture of the schools and provide judgements that are clear and explicit.

David Bell , Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools, said:

“I’m pleased to see that the Independent Schools Inspectorate has acted on the recommendations made in Ofsted’s previous report and consolidated further improvements in the quality of its inspections.”

The report recommends:

• Training for team inspectors should continue to focus on judging pupils’ achievement and progress against national benchmarks, and on ensuring that all inspectors have an appropriately secure knowledge and understanding of the regulatory requirements for independent schools

• For the remaining term in which subject reporting continues, the quality of oral reporting on subjects should be improved to a uniformly good standard by ensuring full dialogue and discussion with school staff in sufficient clarity and detail. Training for team inspectors should focus on further improvement in such feedback, and, in particular the guidance and support provided during inspections by the reporting inspector

Notes For Editors

1.The report, Independent Schools Council Inspections 2004/05, is available on the Ofsted website today.2.The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspects schools that are members of associations affiliated to the Independent Schools Council (ISC). At the request of the Secretary of State for Education, Ofsted monitors the effectiveness of the inspection procedures used by the ISC and publishes an annual review.3.Ofsted is a non-ministerial government department established under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 to take responsibility for the inspection of all schools in England. Its role also includes the inspection of further education, local authority children’s services, teacher training institutions and some independent schools. During 2001, Ofsted became responsible for inspecting all 16-19 education and for the regulation of early years childcare, including childminders.

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