Independent schools: making a material change

Guidance for proprietors (and proposed proprietors) of independent schools.

This guidance applies to all independent schools including:

• independent special schools
• independent residential special schools
• independent boarding schools

An independent school (or private school) is not funded by the government and charges fees for attendance.

When an independent school is first registered, some of that information is recorded on the register of independent schools. If an independent school wishes to amend these registered details, prior approval must be sought from the Secretary of State.

Independent schools must make a request for material changes to registered details for the following:

• proprietor details
• school address details
• age range of pupils
• school capacity
• gender of entry
• boarding provision
• special educational needs

Completed applications should be made by email, attaching the relevant documentation, as set out in the guidance.

Unapproved material changes

You must not make a material change without having obtained the Secretary of State’s approval for it. Material changes may impact on an independent school’s ability to meet the independent school standards, set out in the Schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards (ISS)) Regulations 2014. In order to approve any application for a material change relating to an independent school, the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the (relevant) ISS are likely to continue to be met in relation to the independent school if the change is made.

Under section 162 of the Education Act 2002, the Secretary of State may decide to deregister an independent school, where there has been an unapproved material change.

Academies and free schools

The guidance does not apply to academies or free schools. They should refer to Academies: making significant changes or closure.