Should we register our Alternative Provision with Ofsted?

Should you register your Non-School (or unregistered) Alternative Provision with Ofsted?

If you’re an AP leader then this question must have come across your mind. Schools and Local Authorities push for registration and it brings reassurance for commissioners. The challenge is that it also brings the added scrutiny of Ofsted inspections along with the extra resource needed to meet the Independent School Standards. It also takes away some of the ability of the best AP’s to specialise and respond dynamically to the needs of their children and young people.

We offer an advice service that comes from the expertise and experience that comes from working with 100’s of both non-school and registered AP’s. At Close the Gaps we see the value in both models and know that the answer to the question of registration will be different for each organisation.

We offer options appraisals that can help you to discover that the best course of action is for your AP.

Our consultancy packages will produce a strategic decision paper for your organisation and include the following:

• The regulatory landscape and an assessment of local external pressures

• Local feasibility and sustainability

• Possible scenarios for change

• For each option:

  • Strategic fit

  • Regulatory risk and oversight exposure

  • Operating implications (curriculum, flexibility, timetable, staffing, policies and governance)

  • Financial implications (set-up and ongoing)

  • Pros/cons

  • Conditions for success

• Risk mitigations for all options

• Audit current practice towards Non-School AP standards or Independent School Standards

• Next steps action plans

We understand how important your ethos and vision is and ensure that any advice is purely based on you and your context and maintaining the key aspects of that vision. For a quote your organisation do get in touch below.