Ofsted Pre-Inspection

All free schools must have an Ofsted pre-registration inspection before they can open. This inspection checks whether the school is meeting the Independent School Standards and is required before the school can be publicly registered on the independent school register, also known as Get information about schools. The inspection happens in the later stages of pre-opening as certain tasks must be completed before the inspection can take place. 

Independent School Standards
The Ofsted pre-registration inspection differs from the type of Ofsted inspection the school will have when it is open. The purpose of the pre-registration inspection is to evaluate whether a school is meeting the Independent School Standards and therefore is fit to open – it does not provide any judgement of quality. Your education plans and policies are considered throughout the pre-opening phase, and in particular at the readiness to open meeting with the Department for Education.

The areas covered in the pre-registration inspection are:

• Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils;
• Welfare, health and safety of pupils;
• Suitability of the proprietor and staff;
• Premises and accommodation;
• Provision of information for parents, carers and others;
• Procedures for handling complaints;
• Leadership and management.

A pre-inspection will take place as we approach the opening of the school. During the first two years, the school will work with a DFE education expert, with an expected Ofsted inspection towards the end of year two. Monitoring is in place, and Alkerden Academy has robust systems to track school performance.