Inspection reports
Perhaps the most important document you can read about an independent school is its inspection report. The process of inspection is complicated and can look impenetrable to parents; it is involved and often uses a lot of acronyms (be warned) but hang in there and the results are worth it.
Firstly, a bit of background to the process. Schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council (or ISC as it is known) in England are inspected by an organisation called the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), appointed by the Department for Education (DfE). Independent schools which are not in membership of ISC are inspected by Ofsted. ISC is an important organisation as it brings together seven associations of heads, bursars and governors. It therefore collectively represents over 1,400 independent schools, many of whom are well-known regionally and nationally.
Explaining inspections is quite complicated but one of the key things to understand is that schools are inspected to a framework. This ensures consistency between inspections and schools as well as being open...
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This is exactly the sort of book which parents should be looking at to cut through the marketing glitz of independent school websites and prospectuses, and to focus in on the key issues around finding the right school for their child. Matthew's book offers a wealth of practical advice from someone who really knows the sector, giving parents all the right questions to ask of themselves and the schools they are visiting. If you're looking for a guide to tell you what the best school is, then this book isn't for you. If you want guidance and support to find the best school for your child, then look no further.
Continue reading?
This is exactly the sort of book which parents should be looking at to cut through the marketing glitz of independent school websites and prospectuses, and to focus in on the key issues around finding the right school for their child. Matthew's book offers a wealth of practical advice from someone who really knows the sector, giving parents all the right questions to ask of themselves and the schools they are visiting. If you're looking for a guide to tell you what the best school is, then this book isn't for you. If you want guidance and support to find the best school for your child, then look no further.
