Get Pro
Menu

School inspection

A visit by a national inspectorate to evaluate the quality of education, leadership, behaviour and safeguarding at a school, usually ending in a published report.

Used in
All four UK nations (details may differ)
Topic
Inspection and accountability

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

Classfern Pro: report writer, Ask Fern, forum and jobs – no ads. What's in Pro Join Classfern Pro

Learn how – Glossary: watch the 1-minute video · print (PDF)

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) England
The body that inspects and regulates schools, colleges, early years settings, children's social care and some training providers in England.
Estyn Wales
The education and training inspectorate for Wales, covering schools, colleges, early years and other providers.
Education Scotland Scotland
The Scottish Government agency that supports quality and improvement in education and carries out school inspections in Scotland.
Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) Northern Ireland
The inspectorate for schools, colleges and other education and training providers in Northern Ireland.
Section 5 inspection England
A full graded Ofsted inspection of a school in England, named after the section of the Education Act 2005 that requires it.

More terms: Inspection and accountability

Achievement gap · League tables · Value added

More terms starting with S · Education glossary A–Z · Get a TIP for your class

Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.