National thematic inspections
National thematic inspections investigate specific topics through inspection. We gather evidence and then report the findings of our inspection. This helps national and local government to make decisions and develop policies.
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Literacy and English within Scotland’s curriculum
An evaluation of the quality of Literacy and English in Scotland
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Modhan ùghdarras ionadail airson taic a thoirt do leasachadh sgoile
Gaelic version of report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education looking at local authority approaches to supporting school improvement.
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Meeting the support needs of learners in Scotland’s colleges
A thematic report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education.
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Evaluation of community learning and development in Scotland
A national thematic inspection report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education considering the community learning and development (CLD) provision in Scotland.
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Luachadh air ionnsachadh agus leasachadh coimhearsnachd ann an Alba
Gaelic version of report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education considering the community learning and development (CLD) provision in Scotland.
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Enhancing the quality of mathematics education in Scotland
A national thematic report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education looking at enhancing the quality of mathematics education in Scotland.
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A’ neartachadh càileachd foghlam matamataig ann an Alba
Gaelic version of report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education looking at enhancing the quality of mathematics education in Scotland.
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Evaluation of curriculum design in Scotland
A thematic report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education.
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Local authority approaches to school improvement announcement
Information about the national thematic inspection on local authority approaches to school improvement.
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Approaches to recording and monitoring incidents of bullying in schools
This report examines how schools are recording, monitoring and responding to incidents of bullying.
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Responsive, supportive and resilient communities
HM Inspectors of Education have published a new report highlighting features of effective community development practice in response to COVID-19.
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Health and wellbeing: a thematic review
Scotland's HM Inspectors of Education have published a new report examining a range of approaches taken to support health and wellbeing in establishments nominated by local authorities.
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Successful approaches to learning outdoors
Scotland's HM Inspectors of Education have published a new report highlighting features of effective practice in outdoor learning.
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A thematic inspection of family learning
A national thematic inspection focused on gathering more in depth information and evidence around approaches to family learning.
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Assessment within the broad general education
This report focuses on sharing the key features which, when taken together, make the greatest difference to using assessment effectively to improve learning and teaching and in turn, outcomes for children and young people.
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Numeracy and mathematics for Scotland's learners
A national thematic inspection focusing on numeracy and mathematics.
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Improving outcomes for learners in the Glasgow College Region
HM Inspectors, associate assessors and student team members explore aspects of equity, attainment, and achievement for learners across the Glasgow College Region
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Thematic reports up to and including June 2019
Thematic review is an approach to inspection which involves a cross-sectoral team of inspectors.
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Local authority approaches to supporting school improvement
A national thematic inspection report from His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education looking at local authority approaches to supporting school improvement.
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Review of the care curriculum in Scotland’s colleges
A report on the care curriculum in Scotland’s colleges.
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Preventing and responding to bullying
The findings of a thematic inspection looking at approaches for preventing and tackling bullying.
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Thematic review of the planning and delivery of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) provision in Scotland
This report details HM Inspectors' late-2025 thematic review of the ESOL crisis response, based on findings from national organizations and six local authority areas.