DfE registration requirements
Schools should be aware of any organisations operating outside of the registration processes for schools, and should inform Ofsted and the local authority if they consider a provider to be operating as an unregistered school.
Any provider of education should be registered as an independent school if it meets the criteria – that it provides full-time education to five or more pupils of compulsory school age, or one such pupil who is looked-after or has an EHC plan.
All alternative provision academies and alternative provision free schools must be registered as schools whether or not they are full-time or part-time.
Unregistered schools – Ofsted may receive information regarding possible unregistered schools. If there is a possibility of any education provider operating illegally, Ofsted will conduct inspections as reasonable notice.
If you suspect that a provider is potentially operating as an unregistered independent school, please contact us to discuss further.