Step 3: Approval visit

The approval visit is the opportunity to look at the evidence that supports the information you submitted on your Application Form. It will be carried out by your local Cambridge representative – or by a specialist, briefed about your school and what you hope to achieve in joining Cambridge. 

The approval visit is not about looking to identify ‘one right answer’. We know that Cambridge schools come in many forms. Our network of schools includes some of the largest, most well-established and best-resourced names in education today, but also the smallest, and the newest which deliver effective education with few resources. 

During the approval visit we want to build a picture of your school, including your goals, educational ethos and curriculum, and to ensure that you understand our policies and procedures. 

Learn more about the approval visit in our Guide to becoming a Cambridge school (PDF, 345KB).

After the approval visit

After the visit, your local Cambridge representative completes an Approval Visit Form detailing the evidence they have seen in relation to the registration quality standards or our registration standards for online schools. At the end of the form your local Cambridge representative will make a recommendation. 

There are three categories: 

• approved 
• approved with conditions 
• not ready to join Cambridge. 

If approved to become a Cambridge school we will aim to send your contract letter within 30 working days of the approval visit.

School reapproval visits

Reapproval visits are not about looking to identify issues but rather to support you as you deliver Cambridge programmes and qualifications. During reapproval visits we want to build on what we already know about your school, discuss your goals, educational ethos and curriculum, and make sure that you are able to continue to adhere to our policies and procedures. Your local Cambridge representative will usually carry out this visit.

After the visit your local Cambridge representative will complete a School Reapproval Visit Form detailing the evidence they have seen in relation to the registration quality standards or our registration standards for online schools.

We will aim to send your confirmation of reapproval letter within 30 working days of the visit.