A transformative experience for every pupil
Understanding ISI
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the official body responsible for inspecting independent schools across England. Approved by the Government and validated by OFSTED, ISI ensures schools maintain high standards in education, pupil welfare, and overall provision. Their inspections provide an impartial review of how well schools support and challenge their pupils.
How Inspections Work
ISI inspections offer a thorough review of school life, from the quality of teaching to pastoral care and compliance with regulations.
Inspectors visit the school to observe lessons, review policies, assess pupil work, and gather perspectives from staff, pupils, and parents. This process ensures a full and balanced understanding of the school’s environment and approach to education.
Why does this matter?
Reassurance for Families – Parents can be confident that their child’s education and wellbeing meet rigorous national standards.
A Roadmap for Growth – Schools receive constructive feedback to refine teaching, leadership, and pupil support.
Meeting Expectations – Inspections ensure schools adhere to all educational and safeguarding regulations.
Sector Standards – Schools can measure their approach against best practices across the independent sector.
What the Report Tells You
ISI no longer uses ratings like ‘excellent’ or ‘good.’ Instead, schools are assessed as having ‘met’ or ‘not met’ key educational and regulatory standards.
Reports provide a clear summary of findings, using more descriptive and analytical language to evaluate the strengths of a school and, if necessary, identify next steps towards best practice in certain areas.
All reports identify at least one recommended next step to help inform the ongoing development of the school.
All inspection standards
were met
Leadership and management, and governance
Quality of education, training and recreation
Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
Social and economic education and contribution to society
Safeguarding
"Leaders instil a culture of scholarship and critical thinking ."
"The curriculum is planned effectively to enable pupils to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge."
Key Findings
Curriculum and Academic Achievement
"The school provides a broad and ambitious curriculum that prioritises both academic achievement and pupils’ wellbeing."
"Pupils attain highly in public examinations."
Leadership and Wellbeing
"Leaders at all levels prioritise pupils’ wellbeing and have a commitment to continuous
Community and Personal Development
"Bancroft's School is a diverse and inclusive community, with a clear commitment to promoting respect and tolerance."
"Pupils show respect in their dealings with each other."
"The school provides comprehensive careers advice, economic education, and a wide range of opportunities for pupils to develop social responsibility and support the school and wider community."
Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare
"Safeguarding arrangements, including those relating to online safety, are robust and e ective."
Inspiring Academic Excellence
"Leaders instil a culture of scholarship and critical thinking ."
A Broad and Ambitious Curriculum
"Leaders provide a broad and ambitious curriculum with an emphasis on academic excellence and pupils’ wellbeing."
"The ‘Being Bancroft's’ curriculum framework incorporates initiatives to develop oracy, critical thinking, and scholarship."
"The curriculum is planned effectively to enable pupils to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge."
Excellence in Teaching and Learning
"Teachers ensure that pupils intellectual effort and collaborate effectively."
"Teachers display a high level of subject knowledge so that pupils of all abilities make progress."
"Teachers create a positive and inclusive learning environment across the school, in which all pupils are equally encouraged to achieve well."
Outstanding Pupil Outcomes
"Pupils attain highly in public examinations and attain places on competitive higher education courses."
"All groups of pupils make good progress from their starting points."
"Leaders have robust systems for identifying pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities."
"Teachers make sure everyone’s point of view is heard."
"Pupils attain highly in public examinations and attain places on competitive higher education courses."
Guidance and Care
"Leaders provide a supportive environment where pupils can make progress both academically and personally."
Promoting Wellbeing and Inclusivity
"Leaders at all levels are effective in promoting pupils’ wellbeing."
"Leaders are committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for the school community."
"Leaders effectively promote pupils’ physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing."
"Pupils have access to counsellors and know who to talk to, should they consider it necessary."
"Leaders foster the spiritual development of pupils effectively, including through weekly chapel services, which offer opportunities for self-reflection and
Behaviour and School Values
"Leaders communicate their behavioural expectations and the school values of fairness and equity clearly, so that pupils are aware of the behaviour expected from them."
"The personal, social, health and economic education programme, known as ‘Learning for Life’, helps pupils develop skills to support their own physical and mental health and wellbeing."
Health, Safety, and Safeguarding
"Leaders keep effective oversight of all matters relating to health and safety."
"Pupils participate in a range of diverse community partnership p rogrammes."