What do we inspect?
Most inspection activity falls into 3 categories:
- organisational inspections which are carried out in individual establishments and services
- local inspections
- national thematic inspections and reviews of aspects and themes of education which are of particular interest or priority
We currently carry out inspection of the following sectors:
- early learning and childcare settings, including nursery classes in schools
- primary and secondary schools
- Gaelic Medium Education
- independent schools
- special and residential special schools
- community learning and development services
- education functions of local authorities
- private colleges and English language schools
- career information, advice and guidance services
- modern apprentice training
- prison education (at the request of HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
Each sector has its own inspection framework. It reflects the purpose of the inspection, and meets the specific needs of the sector and their stakeholders.
We work in partnership with the Care Inspectorate for some inspections of early learning and childcare and of some inspections of the residential provision in independent schools.
We keep our arrangements for inspection and reporting on the quality of education across sectors under review. This enables us to respond with agility and flexibility as key educational policies and priorities develop. We also regularly review the focus and purpose of thematic inspections of specific aspects of education at a national level based on key priorities.
To promote transparency and openness we will set out and publish an annual programme of inspection activity across different sectors of education. This will also set out planned national thematic inspections.