School improvement and inspection readiness
An external review can help a school decide where to focus its improvement work and how to prepare for inspection or accreditation. We agree the questions to examine before reviewing the evidence, so the findings lead to a usable plan.
Discuss this serviceComplimentary thirty-minute consultation. Fees scoped privately.
What can the review cover?
Teaching and learning, leadership, governance, curriculum, inclusion and pastoral provision can form part of a school-improvement engagement. An inspection-readiness review is scoped against the relevant framework and the school’s circumstances.
What does inspection-readiness work involve?
The existing readiness offer covers statutory policies, the single central record, safeguarding arrangements, publication duties and governance evidence. The review takes two to three days, remotely or on site as agreed, with written findings and priority actions within ten working days. Scope, access to evidence and the delivery timetable are confirmed in the proposal.
What will the school receive?
The written scope identifies the findings and support to be provided. A report can distinguish the evidence examined, the findings and the priority actions for leaders. Any implementation support or follow-up is agreed separately. A review supports preparation; it does not guarantee an inspection or accreditation outcome.
How does an engagement begin?
A complimentary thirty-minute consultation establishes the issue, the relevant school context and whether we can help. A scoping note, mutual non-disclosure agreement and written proposal follow. Fees are agreed privately against the scope.
Who leads the work?
Sarah Zarzo leads inspection-readiness work. The consultant for a wider school-improvement engagement is agreed according to its scope.
Meet the Education Options teamIs this an inspection?
No. This is external advisory and preparation work. The relevant inspecting or accrediting body makes its own judgements.
Can we focus on one area?
Yes. The consultation can focus on a particular concern or a wider school-improvement review. The proposal records what is included and what falls outside the engagement.