Guidance

Unregistered school inspection handbook

Guidance for inspectors and investigators of unregistered independent schools.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 3 September 2015
• Last updated: 1 September 2022
  Show all updates

  1. 1 September 2022

     See 'summary of changes' for details of the updates.

  2. 27 August 2020

     Handbook updated throughout to reflect current arrangements for inspecting unregistered schools.

  3. 31 January 2020

     Updated to include details of a pilot in which inspectors in the Unregistered Schools Team will use body worn video cameras when inspecting suspected unregistered schools.

  4. 21 September 2017

     Changes to the following sections: Warning notice, Gathering of evidence, Retention of material, Reporting the inspection findings. Removed glossary and sections on case discussion and further investigations. Added a sample search record (Annex C).

  5. 6 September 2016

     Updated for use from September 2016.

  6. 3 September 2015

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Unregistered school inspection handbook

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Summary of changes

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Find out how to tell us about a school that may be unregistered.

Conducting an independent school that is not registered is an offence under section 96 of the Education and Skills Act 2008. Under section 97 of the Act, if HM Chief Inspector (HMCI) has reasonable cause to believe that an offence under section 96 is being committed, they have the power to enter and inspect the premises.

This document sets out what Ofsted inspectors must consider when deciding whether:

• an offence is being committed
• whether to proceed with an inspection
• what happens during an inspection