Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-to-be-on-the-approved-list-of-independent-special-institutions

Change description : 2026-04-01 15:26:00: Updated ‘Guide for independent special institutions applying for inclusion on the Secretary of State approved list’ dates for 2026. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-03-28 16:01:24.452272422 +00:00..2026-04-01 14:26:42.932410505 +00:00

Guidance

Applying to be on the approved list of independent special institutions

The process independent special providers need to follow to be considered for entry onto the list of approved institutions.

From:
Department for Education
Published
4 April 2014
Last updated
281 MarchApril 20252026 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Guide for independent special institutions applying for inclusion on the Secretary of State approved list

HTML

Details

Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014 allows the Secretary of State for Education to publish a list of approved:

  • independent educational institutions in England
  • independent special schools in Wales
  • special post-16 institutions

The guide explains the process for applying to be added to the list of approved independent special institutions. It also sets out the timescales and information required to complete the application form.

Institutions must be able to provide evidence and demonstrate they meet the criteria listed within the guidance.

The 20252026 application window opens 2on 1 May 20252026 and closes on 1312 June 2025.2026.

Apply to join the approved list.

Updates to this page

Published 4 April 2014
Last updated 281 MarchApril 20252026 + show all updates

  2. Updated guidance and application form for the 2025 application window.

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Update history

2026-04-01 15:26
Updated ‘Guide for independent special institutions applying for inclusion on the Secretary of State approved list’ dates for 2026.

2025-03-28 16:01
Updated guidance and application form for the 2025 application window.

2024-05-03 09:30
The 2024 application window is now open. We have also updated the guidance to include dates for the 2025 application window.

2023-05-05 09:00
Updated the ‘Guide for independent special institutions applying for inclusion on the Secretary of State approved list’ for the 2023 application window. Applications close on 16 June 2023.

2022-06-20 09:10
Updated to reflect that the 2022 application window is now closed.

2022-05-06 15:33
Updated guidance for the annual application window.