All schools must follow strict safety rules. They also need to stick to teaching rules to keep children safe. A school must register with the government and be inspected by Ofsted. This applies if it provides full-time education and follows any of these rules:
- It has five or more children of school age
- It is an independent or private school
- It has one or more children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Or children with special educational needs
- It looks after children who are in care.
If a school meets these criteria but is not registered, it is breaking the law. Unregistered schools are illegal.
Why unregistered schools are dangerous
Unregistered schools do not have to pass safety checks. The staff might not have proper police checks. The buildings could be unsafe. Also, the teaching may not follow official guidelines.
The London Borough of Harrow wants to make sure all children learn in a safe place.
How to report an unregistered school
If you think a school in your area is not registered, please report it right away. You can report an unregistered school on GOV.UK.
When you report an unregistered school, please share all the details you can.
Useful details include:
- The name of the school or learning centre
- The full street address of the building
- The days and times children go there
- How many children attend and how old they look
- Any other information that suggests the school may be operating illegally.
You can share your name, email address, or phone number when you fill in the form. You may be contacted to ask you more questions about your report.
If you prefer to stay anonymous, you can leave out your personal details.