Additional criteria for applicants

Pupils

A school with the Head in membership of the Association should aim to provide an appropriate, stimulating education which will enable every pupil to develop her academic potential, her sense of moral and social responsibility and her self-confidence.

The numbers of pupils on roll and in individual classes should be sufficient for economical and efficient organisation and practice.

Staff

The teaching staff should be sufficiently qualified or experienced to meet the needs of the pupils they are teaching; the staff should be deployed in a way which meets the needs of both staff and pupils; the salaries being paid to staff should be appropriate for the responsibilities they hold and broadly in line with current Government scales; written contracts should be provided for all staff.

Heads should try to ensure that all staff work in an atmosphere of mutual trust where they can develop professionally. Honest references should be supplied to those requesting them.

The school must comply with all statutory requirements covering employment of teaching and non-teaching staff. Before appointing, references must be taken up, including police and DCSF clearance. Staff contracts should include terms of employment and reference to a grievance procedure. The school should have a clearly stated policy on staff salary structure and pensions.

Curriculum and standards

A school with the Head in membership of the Association should provide a broad and balanced curriculum suited to the age and abilities of the pupils concerned. There should be appropriate and up-to-date syllabuses/schemes of work that meet all legal requirements regarding the curriculum applicable to the independent sector.

Methods used for assessing the progress, needs and abilities of pupils should be appropriate as well as the related record keeping.

Books, equipment and other resources which are needed to support the teaching, learning, study and recreation of the pupils should be adequate at all levels.

Extra-curricular provision

Extra-curricular provision should exist to enable pupils to experience a variety of activities outside the classroom. Such activities will vary from school to school but it is expected that resources, both human and physical, will be adequate to ensure that such experiences are valuable and conform to national guidelines where appropriate.

Administration and management

The administration, management and financial position of the school will be such as to give the parents a reasonable assurance that it will be able to provide the conditions and standards they could realistically expect.

A school must be independent of direct local or central government funding. It may receive grants by direct payment from the DCSF or fees from local authorities or other sources.

The management should be such that it can be efficient in its outcomes and able to meet the stated aims of the school. In considering an application for membership, the Association shall have regard to the scheme or other instrument under which the school is administered, with particular reference to the degree of independence of action reserved to the Governing Body and the professional independence and discretion allowed to the Head.

Autonomy of Head

The Head should have the freedom to play a leading part in the school’s development; should be responsible for the curriculum, ethos, discipline and internal management of the school; should be responsible for the appointment and development of teaching staff; should be the predominant voice in advising the Governors about the deployment of the school’s financial and material resources; and should be responsible for the selection and admission of pupils within the terms of the school’s articles.

Premises

It is expected that school buildings will be adequate and appropriate for the abilities, numbers, ages and gender of the pupils; that they will be well maintained and will meet statutory requirements; that specialist subject needs will be suitably catered for and current health and safety regulations met.