Independent school inspection: toolkit, operating guides and information
Guidance for inspectors and schools on inspecting non-association independent schools in England under the renewed education inspection framework.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Find guidance for non-association independent school inspections in England:
- non-association independent school inspection toolkit – what inspectors and schools use to discuss the quality of provision on inspection
- non-association independent school inspection operating guide – a step-by-step guide for inspectors on how to inspect a school
- information about non-association independent school inspections – for school staff and leaders, parents and carers and the wider public
- non-association independent school additional inspections operating guide – guidance for inspectors on how to carry out additional inspections of independent schools
This guidance replaced the independent schools inspection handbook and the independent schools additional inspection handbook from January 2026.
Education inspection framework
The education inspection framework explains why we inspect non-association independent schools (and other educational provision), including the legal requirements.
Updates to this page
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We added new versions of the inspection toolkit, operating guide for standard inspections, operating guide for additional inspections, and inspection information document that will come into force in September 2026. The summary of changes document lists what has changed.
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Updated 'Inspection information for non-association independent schools'. See 'Summary of changes' for a list of the changes.
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Operating guide for additional inspections of non-association independent schools added.
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We have clarified what is expected in terms of strong leadership and governance in the non-association independent schools inspection toolkit.
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First published.