Maintaining accreditation

You can self-evaluate your organisation against the inspection criteria. Use this template to see whether your centre meets the requirements and refer to the self-evaluation examples

Self evaluation template 2024 (Word 103KB)

Self evaluation examples (PDF 605KB)

Where you have 'Points to be addressed' on an inspection report, you need to submit an Action plan (Word 56KB) in preparation for the next inspection, or earlier as required by the Accreditation Scheme Advisory Committee (ASAC).

Your plan will include a timeframe and will form part of the next inspection. This is intended to help you plan and record action taken to meet Points to be addressed (PTBA) against the inspection criteria. 

It is a requirement of M7 that an Action plan showing progress on PTBA is submitted with the Annual declaration in the year following inspection, and that the Action plan is kept up to date (but not submitted unless requested).

1. Download and complete the application form - for all providers:

• Re-inspection application form (Word 104KB)
• Home tuition teacher list (31KB) 
• Supplementary inspection application  (Word 81KB).

We are not accepting hard copies by post, please email the completed application to inspection.setup@britishcouncil.org

Please keep a copy of your application as a reference and backup.

2. Stage 1 initial background documentation (please see the full list of documents above)

These documents inform the initial setting up of the inspection, allowing the Unit and inspectors to understand the size and location of the organisation.  

You must send documents 1 and 2 to the Accreditation Unit by the application deadline specified. 

The Accreditation Unit will send documents 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 to the inspectors when the inspection is confirmed.

The reporting inspector will request documents 6, 7, 8, and 9 from you as soon as s/he receives confirmation of the date of the inspection. Send the documents to the inspectors, not the Unit.

At the same time, the reporting inspector will agree with you arrangements for the preparation and dispatch of Stage 2 documentation. 

Templates

• Document 6 - People to be seen form (Word 73KB)

Once your inspection date has been agreed, as part of Stage 2, you must send both inspectors Inspection documentation and guidance (PDF 765MB)

Templates are provided for some of these items:

• Academic staff profile spreadsheet (Excel 123KB)
• List of staff template (Excel 51KB)
• Organisation profile (Word 38KB) 
• Organisation profile for multi centre (Word 117KB) - (See Inspection support page for guidance document)
• Self evaluation template 2024 (Word 103KB)
• Organisation plan template (Word 19KB)
• Action plan template  (Word 56KB)

For inspection, language centres need to document how their recruitment and support policy provides an academic staff team appropriate to the centre’s courses and students (see criterion T1).

A Recruitment and support policy template (Word 42KB) is provided, this replaces rationales previously submitted (document 27). 

If you need to check the qualifications of academic staff you can use the form below

Qualifications evaluation (Word 42KB)

A Rationale for academic management template (Word 55KB) should be used to document the academic management arrangements in the rare event that no academic managers fully meet scheme requirements.

There are no specific forms for Stage 3. Inspectors will sample files and records to obtain evidence that criteria are met.

If you would like further information on the application stages, you can download our Pre inspection advice sheet (PDF 114KB).