The Independent School Standards (Wales) Regulations 2024

PART 1 Quality of education provided

1.  The standards about the quality of education provided at the independent school are those contained in this Part.

2.—(1) The standard in this sub-paragraph is met if—

(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the independent school’s curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub-paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively, and

(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work—

(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an individual development plan or a statement,

(ii) do not undermine the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and

(iii) take into account the principles in Part 1 of the Convention.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 2(1)(a) the matters are—

(a) full-time supervised education for all pupils of compulsory school age, which gives pupils experience in the following areas: language, communication, mathematics, science, technology, humanities, health, well-being and expressive arts,

(b) that pupils acquire skills in speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy,

(c) where the principal language of instruction is a language other than Welsh or English, lessons in written and spoken Welsh or English, except that this requirement will not apply in respect of an independent school which only provides education for pupils who are all temporarily resident in Wales and which follows the curriculum of another country,

(d) personal, social, and health education which—

(i) reflects the independent school’s aims and ethos, and

(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act(1),

(e) for pupils receiving secondary education, access to accurate, up-to-date careers guidance that—

(i) is presented in an impartial manner,

(ii) enables them to make informed choices about a broad range of career options, and

(iii) helps to encourage them to fulfil their potential,

(f) where the independent school has pupils below compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their educational needs in relation to personal, social, emotional and physical development and communication and language skills,

(g) where the independent school has pupils above compulsory school age, a programme of activities which is appropriate to their needs,

(h) the opportunity for all pupils to learn and make progress, including providing differentiated opportunities where appropriate, and

(i) effective preparation of pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

(3) The standard in this sub-paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the independent school—

(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught,

(b) fosters in pupils the application of intellectual, physical or creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves,

(c) involves well-planned lessons, effective teaching methods, suitable activities and wise management of learning time,

(d) demonstrates a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils and ensures these are taken into account in the planning of lessons,

(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being taught,

(f) uses effectively learning resources of a good quality, quantity and range,

(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and uses information from those assessments to plan teaching so that pupils can progress,

(h) uses effective strategies for managing behaviour and encouraging pupils to act responsibly,

(i) does not undermine the fundamental values of democracy and support for participation in the democratic process, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs,

(j) has due regard to Part 1 of the Convention, and

(k) does not discriminate against pupils contrary to Part 6 of the 2010 Act(2).

3.  The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that the independent school has a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference either to the independent school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both.

(1)

The protected characteristics are set out in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Equality Act 2010 (c. 15).

(2)

Part 6 makes provision about education and consists of four Chapters. Chapter 1 makes provision about schools.