With many schools now establishing independent advisory boards, Education consultant and former chief executive of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), Neil Roskilly, considers how to make sure these boards are as effective as possible.
Around 15 years ago, the Department for Education (DfE) decided that for-profit proprietary schools face a higher risk of compliance failure when compared to charitable trust schools under the Independent Schools Standards Regulations (ISSRs), particularly those that are smaller and family-based. The thinking was that such schools often lack a board of governors that might challenge the proprietor, particularly in areas such as safeguarding where self-interest and reputation management might play a part. The widespread result was the establishment of advisory boards in many for-profit schools, particularly where subsequent inspections recommended such a need.
So far, so good: after all, why wouldn’t the owner of a school not want expert independent advice on hand at a time when compliance has almost become a full-time occupation? However, getting it wrong can be a costly and humbling experience, as the DfE’s warning notices attest. As well as reputational damage affecting pupil recruitment, DfE action may result in both overseas admissions and Defence Continuity of Education Allowances being frozen. Ninety independent schools received warning notices in 2024 alone…