Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014

In brief

Secondary legislation (SI 2014/3283, in force 5 January 2015) prescribing the standards independent schools in England — including academies and free schools — must meet, set out in the Schedule. Schedule Part 3 (paras 6–16) contains the welfare, health and safety standards: para 7 requires arrangements to safeguard and promote pupils' welfare that have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State — the provision through which KCSIE binds independent schools and academies. Schedule Part 5 (paras 22 onwards) contains the premises standards: para 23(1)(a) suitable toilet and washing facilities for pupils' sole use; para 23(1)(b) separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 or over, except single-occupancy rooms securable from the inside; para 23(1)(c) suitable changing accommodation and showers for pupils aged 11 or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education; para 23(2) disabled-facilities sharing exception. Para 23 mirrors reg 4 of the School Premises (England) Regulations 2012, the maintained-school equivalent.

Key provisions

• Sch Pt 3 para 7 — Safeguarding arrangements standard: The proprietor must ensure arrangements are made to safeguard and promote pupils' welfare, and that those arrangements have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State
• Sch Pt 5 para 23(1)(b) — Separate toilets for boys and girls aged 8+: Required except where the facility is in a room securable from the inside intended for use by one pupil at a time
• Sch Pt 5 para 23(1)(c) — Changing accommodation and showers: Suitable changing accommodation and showers for pupils aged 11 or over at the start of the school year who receive physical education
• Sch Pt 5 para 23(2) — Disabled-facilities exception: Separate disabled facilities may also be used by other pupils, staff, supply staff, volunteers and visitors

When relevant

Independent-school facilities/safeguarding scenarios where the statutory standard is in question; the independent-school statutory underpinning KCSIE 2026 cites. Use alongside KCSIE-2026 and SCHOOL-PREMISES-2012 (the maintained-school equivalent).