Details

Independent school registration

This guidance is for proprietors and prospective proprietors of independent schools in England that are not academies or free schools. It may also be of use to governors, headteachers, teachers and parents.

You must register if you’ll provide full time education for:

• 5 or more pupils of compulsory school age
• 1 or more pupils of compulsory school age with an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• 1 or more pupils of compulsory school age who are looked-after by the local council

Read our independent schools: making a material change guidance if you need to make a material change.

Apply to register an independent school

Use this application form and submission instructions to apply.

Help with registering as an independent school

Independent education and boarding team

Bishopsgate House
Feethams
Darlington
County Durham
DL1 5QE

Email IndependentSchool.Applications@education.gov.uk

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform

Anyone wishing to register a new independent school may wish to be aware that the Department for Education is developing a substantial, system-wide reform programme. This will introduce a new regulatory framework, in the coming years, for independent special school registration.

We are therefore consulting on proposals to reform the SEND system. The consultation document explains the changes we plan to make and asks for comments from everyone with an interest.

SEND reform: putting children and young people first includes details on how you can respond to the consultation.

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 18 May 2026.