The Inspection and Self-Evaluation Framework underpins all inspections.
Full inspections:
- Notification: two weeks
- Duration: up to four days (depending on the size and context of the school)
- District inspector: usually a team member
- Outcomes for learners, quality of provision and leadership and management (including governance) are evaluated
- Safeguarding arrangements are evaluated
- Outcome: one of four Overall Effectiveness Conclusions
Sustaining, monitoring and baseline monitoring inspections:
- Notification: two full days
- Duration: two days
- District inspector: usually leads the inspection
- Line(s) of inquiry inform: lesson observations; and discussion with teachers, co-ordinators and middle leaders, senior leaders, other staff and governors
- The school provides an assurance on safeguarding arrangements
- Outcome: informs next inspection activity
The Education and Training Inspectorate publishes detailed guidance for schools. This guidance describes the main activities undertaken during the course of a typical inspection.
Outside of the follow-up process, schools are typically on a three year inspection cycle.