The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014

PART 1 E+W Quality of education provided

1.  The standards about the quality of education provided at the school are those contained in this Part. E+W

2.—(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if— E+W

(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and

(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work–

(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and

(ii) do not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are—

(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education;

(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills;

(c) where the principal language of instruction is a language other than English, lessons in written and spoken English, except that this matter does not apply in respect of a school which provides education for pupils who are all temporarily resident in England and which follows the curriculum of another country;

(d) personal, social, health and economic education which–

(i) reflects the school's aim and ethos; and

(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act M1 ;

(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that–

(i) is presented in an impartial manner;

(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options; and

(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential;

(f) where the school has pupils below compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their educational needs in relation to personal, social, emotional and physical development and communication and language skills;

(g) where the school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs;

(h) that all pupils have the opportunity to learn and make progress; and

(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in British society.

Marginal Citations

M1 The protected characteristics are set out in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Equality Act 2010.

[F1 2A.— (1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor— E+W

(a) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with primary education at the school is provided with relationships education,

(b) ensures that every registered pupil who is provided with secondary education at the school is provided with relationships and sex education, except in so far as the pupil is excused as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2),

(c) in a case where the school is an Academy, ensures that every registered pupil is provided with health education,

(d) in making arrangements for the purposes of paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), has regard to any guidance under section 80A of the Education Act 2002 that applies in relation to the provision of education by maintained schools,

(e) makes and keeps up to date a separate written statement of its policy with regard to the provision of education as required by each of paragraphs (a) and (b),

(f) consults parents of registered pupils at the school before making or revising a statement under sub-paragraph (e), and

(g) publishes a copy of the statement on a website and provides a copy of the statement free of charge to anyone who asks for one.

(2) Arrangements made by the proprietor for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b) must ensure that where a pupil’s parent requests that the pupil is wholly or partly excused from sex education provided as part of relationships and sex education, the pupil is so excused until the request is withdrawn, unless or to the extent that the head teacher considers that the pupil should not be so excused.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1)(a) and (c) do not apply to a pupil who is under compulsory school age.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. para. 2A inserted (1.9.2020) by The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/924), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 12

3.  The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school— E+W

(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught;

(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves;

(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time;

(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons;

(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught;

(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range;

(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils' work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;

(h) utilises effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly;

(i) does not undermine the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; and

(j) does not discriminate against pupils contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Act M2 .

Marginal Citations

M2 Part 6 relates to education and consists of two Chapters. Chapter 1 relates to schools and Chapter 2 to further and higher education.

4.  The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school's own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place. E+W