Inspections - Summary
For inspections by Education Scotland:
- Inspections can take the form of sampled whole-school inspections, 3-18 curricular area inspections or inspections on a generic theme.
- The written notification period of an inspection visit is three weeks for secondary schools and two weeks for primary schools and early years centres.
- Discussions will take place between the inspectors and head teacher about arrangements for the inspection.
- Inspectors will inform the school of any documentation to be available prior to the inspection and on the first day of inspection.
- Schools will be required to complete their self-evaluation summary form and discuss it with the inspection team on the first day of the inspection.
- Confidential questionnaires will be distributed to parents, all staff (teaching and non-teaching) and a sample of pupils (not nursery) prior to the inspection.
- An inspection may last between three and four days (starts Monday lunch, finishing at any time between Thursday and Friday).
- The school will be inspected by a team of inspectors lead by a Managing Inspector who is an HM Inspector of Education.
- Inspectors will observe classroom practice amongst their activities.
- Inspectors will want to engage in professional dialogue at appropriate points during the inspection.
- Special lesson plans for the inspectors are not necessary.
- If inspectors are satisfied with the school’s self-evaluation procedures and the outcomes arising from it they may disengage early from formal evaluative activities.
- Within two weeks of the end of the inspection a draft copy of the report in letter format will be provided for comment to the school, the education authority and the Chairperson of the Parent Council.
- The Education Scotland website will publish the report letter along with relevant inspection evidence, e.g. attainment information, within eight working weeks after the end of the inspection.
- Continuing engagement activities with Education Scotland may be required after the inspection.
- Nursery schools and schools with nursery provision should note the differences and links between the Care Inspectorate and Education Scotland inspections.
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