Inspection Reports

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body approved by the Department for Education for the purpose of inspecting schools belonging to Independent Schools Council (ISC) Associations and reporting on compliance with independent school regulations. ISI inspections are also carried out under arrangements of the ISC Associations for the maintenance and improvement of the quality of their membership.

I am delighted to announce that our June 2021 ISI inspection report is now available. I am extremely proud of the staff and children who responded magnificently to an unexpected ‘brought forward’ inspection at the height of Covid-19. I am so pleased that the inspection team have acknowledged the great strides that we are making and with our new focus on teaching & learning and enrichment, I am sure that Tower College will be even better.
— Ms Bingley

What is included in an educational quality inspection report?

Educational quality inspection reports offer detailed assessments of a school. The report includes an introductory section on the characteristics of the school, such as its aims and ethos.

Reports focus on the two main outcomes for pupils: achievement and personal development. Reports include factors which contribute to these outcomes such as the curriculum, teaching, pastoral care, and governance, leadership and management.

Where applicable, these reports also include findings on boarding provision and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

The ISI grading system

For educational quality inspections ISI uses grades as part of the report. ISI does not make a single overarching judgement on a school but instead makes a clear judgement for the two aspects using one of the following four grades:

  • Excellent

  • Good

  • Sound

  • Unsatisfactory

ISI does not use the same judgement words as Ofsted – see Comparing Reports for more information.

Registered Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) settings are reported on separately and here ISI is required to use the same terminology and approach as in Ofsted inspections because Ofsted is the registering body:

  • Outstanding

  • Good

  • Requires improvement

  • Inadequate

What can an educational quality inspection report tell me about a school?

Inspection reports give a frank and objective overall account of a school’s provision and outcomes for pupils. They should indicate how well the education caters for pupils of different needs and abilities, how broad the education is, what the atmosphere of the school is like – in terms of the ethos, behaviour of pupils and relationships – and how well pupils are cared for.

As such they may play a role in helping you to choose a school for your child. However, reports are no substitute for a personal visit to the school to evaluate for yourself the extent to which you think it will suit the talents, character and needs of your own child. Our reports are not designed to provide a ranking or league table of schools.

What is included in a Regulatory Compliance Inspection report?

Regulatory Compliance Inspection reports provide a summary only of whether a school meets or does not meet the minimum standards required by the relevant regulations (Independent School Standards Regulations, National Minimum Standards and Early Years Foundation Stage statutory requirements as applicable).