Establishing an independent school

As pressure mounts on local authorities to provide high-quality support for pupils in Alternative Provision and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, the route to opening new academies has become increasingly limited. In response, many organisations are choosing to launch independent schools as a more flexible and effective way to meet community demand.

At Jarvis Education, we specialise in helping you bring this vision to life. From early-stage planning to the final steps before launch, our expert consultants work alongside you to ensure a smooth and successful process.

From concept to classroom: full-spectrum support

We offer a comprehensive consultancy service designed to turn your initial ideas into a fully operational independent school. Whether you're just beginning to explore the possibilities or you're already navigating registration, our bespoke guidance will help you:

• Understand the regulatory landscape

• Avoid administrative bottlenecks

• Build a strong operational and financial foundation

• Launch your provision with clarity and confidence

Strategic services for new school development

Our support covers every phase of the development journey and includes services such as:

• Initial scoping and strategic planning

• Community and market analysis

• Engagement with local stakeholders and authorities

• Department for Education (DfE) registration guidance

• Drafting essential policies and curriculum frameworks

• Business modelling and sustainability planning

• End-to-end project management

We collaborate with a range of clients, including MATs, education providers, and mission-led organisations. Every project receives a tailored approach built around your specific objectives and local context.

If you’re just starting out, we offer an orientation session to help you understand the process, explore viability, and set a clear direction for your project.

Your roadmap to opening a new school

Creating a new school involves more than just securing a site and writing policies. Success depends on careful analysis, sound planning, and a deep understanding of compliance, governance, and sustainability. Our support can be shaped to include:

Viability and Feasibility Assessment

Before committing resources, it’s essential to evaluate whether your school plan is practical and achievable. We provide in-depth feasibility studies that give you clarity and confidence. These typically include:

• Demand and demographic research

• Initial financial forecasts

• Staffing models and operational logistics

• Legal obligations and governance options

• Stakeholder mapping and engagement plans

• Step-by-step regulatory pathway

Business Case Development

Once feasibility is confirmed, the next step is to develop a credible business case. This document is key to securing funding, partnerships, and regulatory approval. We help you build a compelling plan that includes:

• Startup and operational budgeting

• Long-term financial projections

• Risk assessment and mitigation planning

• Outreach and marketing strategy

• Legal structure and governance model

• Educational vision and curriculum framework

• Key indicators for readiness and performance

DfE Registration and Inspection Preparation

Gaining approval from the Department for Education requires thorough documentation, compliance with standards, and readiness for inspection. We offer support across three levels:

1. Foundational policy creation – development of statutory and curriculum-related documentation

2. Collaborative improvement – strengthening existing materials to meet current expectations

3. Review and assurance – detailed audits and guidance to align with DfE criteria

Adapting to new regulation: support for AP providers

As the DfE tightens regulations on AP provision, particularly for settings delivering full-time education to learners with EHCPs, many organisations are now required to either register as independent schools or operate within new legal frameworks.

We understand how disruptive these changes can feel, especially for smaller, community-focused providers supporting children with complex needs. Our team works with you to:

• Assess whether your provision falls under the new requirements

• Review and update your policies and practices

• Navigate the registration pathway, if applicable

• Prepare for inspections and avoid costly delays or compliance issues

Our aim is to ensure your school or setting continues to operate effectively, meets all legal obligations, and remains focused on delivering high-quality outcomes for learners—without being overwhelmed by red tape.