Independent schools: making a material change

GuidanceThis guidance is for proprietors (andand proposed proprietors)proprietors of independent schools.

ThisIt guidance applies to all independent schools, including:

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

AnThe independentregister schoolof (orindependent privateschools school)on isGet notInformation fundedabout bySchools thecontains governmentinformation andabout chargesindependent fees for attendance.schools.

WhenIndependent anschools independentmust schoolget isprior firstapproval registered,from some of that information is recorded on the registerSecretary of independentState schools. If an independent school wishes to amendchange thesetheir registered details,details. prior approval must be sought from the Secretary of State.

Independent schools must makerequest a request for material changeschange to registeredthe detailsfollowing forregistered the following:details:

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

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

Unapproved material changes

You must not make a material changechange, withoutemail havingyour obtainedapplication theand Secretaryrelevant ofdocumentation State’s approval for it. Material changes may impact on an independent school’s ability to meetregistration.enquiries@education.gov.uk. theThis independentis school standards, set out in the‘Independent Scheduleschools: toapplying The Education (Independent School Standards (ISS)) Regulations 2014. In order to approve any application for a material changechange’.

To relatingrequest toa anchange independent school, the Secretary of Stateproprietor, mustcomplete be‘Independent satisfiedschools: thatchange theof (relevant)proprietor ISSapplication areform’ likelyand toemail continueit to beregistration.enquiries@education.gov.uk. metRead in‘Independent relationschools: to the independent school if the change is made.

Under section 162 of theproprietor Educationguidance’ Actbefore 2002,completing the Secretary of State may decide to deregister an independent school, where there has been an unapproved material change.form.

Academies and free schools

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