Independent Schools

Children sitting in a classroom in an independent special school

Independent schools balance academic excellence, pastoral care, compliance with the Independent School Standards, and the expectations of families who invest heavily in their children’s education. We help independent schools across the UK and internationally to strengthen their provision, meet the standards with confidence, and keep improving. 

What Makes Our Independent School Support Different

Our consultants have led and inspected schools across both the independent and state sectors. We understand the Independent School Standards, the ISI and Ofsted frameworks, and the particular pressures of running an independent school. So the advice you get is discreet, practical and grounded in your world.

Nearly every service we offer works for independent schools. Here’s how each one helps you.

Independent School Reviews and Improvement

Whether you want a light-touch external view or a full developmental review, we tailor our support to your school. You get an experienced consultant who understands independent schools and works with you across the year to strengthen the quality of education.

  • A named consultant who understands independent schools
  • Honest validation of your self-evaluation and development planning
  • Deep dives into curriculum, teaching and the quality of education
  • Written reports after each visit, ready to share with your governors or proprietor
  • Support tailored to your school’s size, ethos and priorities

Independent School Standards (ISS) Review

Meeting the Independent School Standards is essential, and inspection against them carries real stakes. Our expert consultant gives you an impartial external evaluation of how well your school meets the standards and advises on the areas that need further development.

  • An impartial evaluation of how well your school meets the ISS
  • A clear picture of strengths and areas for development
  • Practical, prioritised advice ahead of inspection
  • Support for schools setting up or seeking registration
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Curriculum Review

A strong curriculum underpins the academic reputation independent schools depend on. Our consultants review how well your curriculum is designed, sequenced and delivered.

  • An impartial review of your curriculum and the quality of education
  • A focus on ambition, sequencing and progression
  • Review of teaching quality across the school
  • Clear findings and practical next steps

SEND and Inclusion Review

Independent schools increasingly support pupils with a range of needs. Our specialist SEND consultants review how well your school identifies and supports pupils with special educational needs.

  • A review of your provision for pupils with SEND
  • A look at how you identify and support additional needs
  • Review of how well staff include every pupil
  • A clear, prioritised action plan

Safeguarding and Child Protection Review

Safeguarding is central to inspection and to the trust families place in you. Our safeguarding consultants review your policies, culture and practice, working closely with your DSL and aligning to statutory guidance and the relevant inspection framework.

  • A full review of your safeguarding policies, culture and daily practice
  • Close work with your DSL
  • Alignment to statutory guidance and the ISI or Ofsted framework
  • A comprehensive report and action plan
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Boarding and Pastoral Review

For schools with boarding, pastoral care and welfare are central to your offer and to compliance. We review your pastoral systems, welfare and culture, helping you provide the safe, nurturing environment families expect and inspectors require.

Headteacher and Leadership Appraisal

We give your governors or proprietor an experienced external adviser to run a fair, rigorous head appraisal. Someone who understands the demands of leading an independent school and can set objectives that make sense for your context.

Leadership Coaching and Mentoring

Leading an independent school brings its own pressures. Our leadership coaches offer a tailored package of onsite and remote support over six or twelve months — for new heads, experienced leaders working through change, or senior teams building capacity.

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Governance and Proprietor Support

Strong governance and clear oversight matter enormously in the independent sector. Our consultants carry out external reviews of governance and support boards and proprietors with practical, independent guidance.

Independent Investigations

When a complaint, grievance or serious concern arises, you sometimes need an impartial outside investigator. We carry out thorough, fair and confidential investigations into matters such as staff conduct and safeguarding concerns, handled with discretion, and give you a clear, balanced report.

How We Work with You

  1. 1
    We start with a conversation to understand your school, your pupils and your priorities.
  2. 2
    We agree the right service and the exact focus with you, and confirm it in writing.
  3. 3
    We do the work — on site, remotely or a mix — with the same trusted consultant throughout.
  4. 4
    You get a clear, honest report and practical next steps you can act on.
  5. 5
    We stay available between visits, so you always have someone to call on.

Why Independent Schools Choose Jarvis Education

  • Our team has led and inspected schools across the independent and state sectors. We bring the rigour of an inspector, deep knowledge of the Independent School Standards, and the discretion and honesty independent schools value.
  • We work with independent schools across the UK and, increasingly, internationally — on site and remotely, wherever you need us.

Next Steps

  • Tell us about your independent school and what you’re working on.
  • We’ll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.
  • Contact us today to discuss support for your independent school.

Supporting Independent

We are only a message away. Contact us today and find out how we could help your setting to excel.

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Talk to us about Independent

Tell us about your setting and Shaun, our Founder and CEO, will get back to you. No pressure, no obligation, just a friendly chat about how we support Independent.

  • A response within two working days, guaranteed
  • You speak to our Founder and CEO, nobody else
  • Initial conversations are always free

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Just a few details and Shaun will be in touch.

A response within two working days, guaranteed.

Other settings we support

MATs

Strategic support for multi-academy trusts, from due diligence and growth to school improvement across your schools.

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Alternative Provision

Specialist support for alternative provision — PRUs, AP academies, hospital schools and non-school providers — from consultants who have done the work.

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Secondary

Expert support for secondary schools, tailored to the scale and complexity of secondary leadership and curriculum.

Explore