Inspection explained

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We have a new approach to inspection in schools and Pupil Referral Units across Wales.

Our inspection reports will no longer include summative gradings (e.g. ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’ or ‘Adequate’). Rather than focusing on a grading, our reports will detail how well providers are helping a child to learn.
This page was updated on 05/02/2024

A key overview of findings will be included in the report headline focussing on a school’s strengths and areas for development.

We will also produce a separate report summary for parents which will allow parents to access the key information they need about an inspection quickly.

Our new approach aligns with the personalisation of the new curriculum for Wales. Our inspections will also involve more in-person discussions, placing less emphasis on achievement data.

We believe our new inspection approach will make it easier for providers to gain meaningful insights that help them to improve without the spotlight on a judgement.

There’s no change to the statutory categories of special measures and significant improvement. We’re keeping Estyn review and we’ll also continue to share innovative or effective practice.

In response to feedback, we’ve reduced the notice period for inspections from 15 to 10 working days. Over the next few years, we will be working with partners and stakeholders to gather views as we look to further evolve our inspection framework, including moving towards more regular inspection across providers.

Planning

We’ll inspect all education and training providers in Wales at least once during the eight-year period that began 1 September 2016.

The notice period of inspection is different for each sector. 

The date of the next inspection is not linked to the date of the previous inspection.
 

Sector

Notice period

Non-maintained settings 10 days
Maintained schools and PRUs 10 days
Independent schools and colleges 10 days
Independent special colleges 10 days
Further Education 15 days
Work based learning 15 days
Adult learning in the Community 15 days
Welsh for Adults 15 days
Initial Teacher Education 8 weeks
Local Government Education Services 10 weeks

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How we inspect

We firmly believe in making inspection a positive experience for everyone working in education and training. Just like every teacher, every support staff member, and every school leader, learners matter most to us. 

We’ve consulted with many stakeholders over the last few years to develop inspection arrangements that support renewal and reform in Welsh education.

We piloted these arrangements in schools and PRUs in spring and summer 2022.

The way we think about inspection − our mindset − helps us to:

  • ensure the best for all learners
  • offer leaders, teachers and support staff the chance to contribute professionally and constructively 
  • share what we’ve seen from across Wales to support improvement

The animation and infographics below explain our approach. 

Animation - New inspection arrangements

    

Our mindset

Our mindset infographic
Our mindset

Our principles

Our principles of inspection
Our principles of inspection infographic

What we inspect

Find inspection guidance
What and how we inspect, supplementary guidance, follow-up and the nominee handbook.

Follow up

During an inspection, we consider whether the provider needs any further support. We call this ‘follow-up’ activity.

Find all follow-up documents in our inspection guidance search

Different types of follow-up

  Schools Non-maintained Post-16** Work-based learning
Estyn review x   x x
Progress review   x    
Focussed improvement   x    
Significant improvement* x      
Special measures* x      
Re-inspection     x x

*Denotes a statutory category **Except work-based learning providers

Inspection explained - Playlist

Here are some of the things headteachers and senior leaders have told us about how inspections have changed.

Watch the playlist

 

Part of Inspection process