February 2024
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This conference looked at the future of the independent schools sector in England.
It was a timely opportunity to examine quality and standards of education throughout the sector as the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rolls out its new framework, with its increased emphasis on pupil wellbeing and student voice.
With the first schools being inspected this term, delegates assessed implementation of the new framework and the experiences of schools so far.
Delegates also considered the future for education policy, and implications for the independent schools market and the sector’s financial sustainability moving forward, in the context of the Labour Party’s proposals regarding VAT and ending business rates relief.
Further sessions discussed approaches to widening the reach of the sector, with a focus on best practice for state school partnerships, the development of independent school participation in multi-academy trusts, and expanding international sister schools.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Julie Robinson, Chief Executive, Independent Schools Council; Durell Barnes, Head of Governance and Compliance, RSAcademics; and former Deputy Director and Head of Communications, Independent Schools Inspectorate (2005-2016); and Andrew Lewer MP, Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Independent Education.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- the independent schools market:
- sector priorities, including funding and financial stability - tackling costs for schools - potential VAT charges and the abolition of tax relief
- maintaining the competitive positioning of the sector - mergers and acquisitions to strengthen the position of schools in certain areas
- new inspection framework:
- implementation and effectiveness - moving towards a single routine inspection for schools every three years - assessing experiences so far
- evaluating strategies to increase the impact of student voices in decision-making - maximising the role of leadership in shaping school performance and enhancing pupil wellbeing
- school curriculum:
- designing a knowledge-rich curriculum - improving student attainment and child development - use of curriculum autonomy
- high-stakes assessment and the future of GCSEs - implementing digital assessment across the sector - supporting the workforce
- widening reach: state school partnerships - involvement with multi-academy trusts - supporting accessibility - international student recruitment and the development of sister campuses abroad
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from CMA; DBT; DE, NI; DfE; ETI; and Ofsted.
