We will be publishing the latest “How we inspect” and “What we inspect” guidance handbooks for each sector in preparation for our new inspections arrangements which will be in place from September 2024.
These handbooks are a valuable resource for school leaders, teachers, and parents to gain insights into the rigorous standards and methodologies employed during educational inspections.
These handbooks are a valuable resource for school leaders, teachers, and parents to gain insights into the rigorous standards and methodologies employed during educational inspections.
Maintained schools and PRUs handbooks
Our handbooks set out our approach to inspecting maintained schools (primary, secondary, all-age and special schools), and pupil referral units. This includes our inspection mindset and methodology, and introduces our new interim visits.
Please note that our current guidance will remain in place until the end of the academic year.
What we inspect - schools and PRUs
Find out more about how our inspection arrangements are changing from September 2024. Our video outlines how the changes to inspection for maintained schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs).
Independent schools
This guidance handbook is only available in English.
Part of Inspecting for the future (2024–2030)