The School Inspection Service (SIS) is an independent body established to carry out school inspections under Section 109 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.
The aims and function of SIS are to provide high-quality inspection of specific groups of independent schools, on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE), and to prepare reports and be responsible for the publication of those reports. In this sense, SIS fulfils the same function that Ofsted performs elsewhere.
SIS is strictly non-profit making, limited by guarantee and registered at Companies House. There are no shareholders and no dividends are paid.
SIS is overseen by a board of directors, whose function is to provide guidance to the Inspectorate and hold it to account. The board consists of eight people with extensive experience in education, both in management of schools, educational administration, and inspection, whether in the UK or overseas. No members of the board have any financial or other interests in any of the schools or school groups which the SIS inspects, or personal or business relationships that could impair the objectivity of inspection.
SIS was approved by the Secretary of State in 2006 and is staffed by a Chief Inspector, also approved by the Secretary of State, and a team of inspectors most of whom are former HMIs (Her Majesty's Inspectors), all of whom are approved by the DfE. Included within the team are a number of HMIs who have specialised in particular educational disciplines such as special needs, post 16 education, primary class specialists, school management, schools overseas, Early Years, and other specific areas.
SIS is monitored by Ofsted, on behalf of the DfE, and a report by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) on its performance is published annually.
SIS retains the services of an independent Complaints Adjudicator of considerable experience. This person exists to determine any complaints raised by aggrieved parents, teachers, or other involved personnel, when the earlier elements of the complaints procedure have been exhausted. The Complaints Adjudicator is not related or connected in any way with SIS or its staff and stands alone to provide a totally independent, unbiased, and non- prejudicial judgement.
The School Inspection Service
Pembroke House
15 Pembroke Rd
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 3BA
Company Limited by Guarantee,
Registered in England and Wales No.6981169