Guidance

Independent schools: making a material change

Request a material change to an independent school (also known as a private school) registered with the Department for Education.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This guidance is for proprietors and proposed proprietors of independent schools.

It applies to all independent schools, including independent:

  • special schools
  • residential special schools
  • boarding schools

皇冠体育app register of independent schools on contains information about independent schools.

Independent schools must get prior approval from the Secretary of State for Education to change their registered details. Independent schools must request a material change to the following registered details:

  • proprietor
  • school address
  • age range of pupils
  • school capacity
  • gender of entry
  • boarding provision
  • special educational needs admissions

To request a material change, email your application and relevant documentation to [email protected]. This is set out in 鈥業ndependent schools: applying for a material change鈥�.

To request a change of proprietor, complete 鈥業ndependent schools: change of proprietor application form鈥� and email it to [email protected]. Read 鈥業ndependent schools: change of proprietor guidance鈥� before completing the form.

Academies and free schools

皇冠体育app guidance does not apply to academies or free schools. 皇冠体育appy should read聽Academies: making significant changes or closure.

Updates to this page

Published 20 January 2023
Last updated 12 June 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated 鈥業ndependent schools: applying for approval to make a material change鈥� to clarify that a material change application is required even when relying on an exemption within the equality act.

  2. Updated 'Independent schools: applying for approval to make a material change' to reflect that it can take up to 6 months to receive approval. Added change of proprietor guidance and application form.

  3. First published.

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