The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986

[F1 Inspection of educational and other establishments by Department N.I.

102 .F2 — (1) Every relevant establishment shall be open at all reasonable times to inspection under this Article.

(2) In this Article and Article 102A “relevant establishment” means—

(a) a school;

[F3 (aa) an institution of further education;]

(b) a college of education;

(c) a grant=aided institution or establishment; or

(d) an institution or establishment which is established, maintained or managed by [F4 the Authority] or the activities of which are organised by [F4 the Authority] .

(3) Inspections under this Article shall be conducted by—

(a) inspectors appointed by the Department; or

(b) other officers of the Department.

(4) Inspectors conducting the inspection of an establishment under this Article may be accompanied and assisted in the inspection by a lay person assigned for the purposes of that inspection under Article 102A.

(5) It shall be the duty of inspectors to promote the highest standards of education and of professional practice among teachers in relevant establishments which provide education by—

(a) monitoring, inspecting and reporting on the standard of education being provided in those establishments and the standards of professional practice among teachers on the staff of such establishments;

(b) advising the Department on any aspect of the curriculum of any of those establishments which the Department may refer to them or on which they think advice is appropriate.

(6) It shall be the duty of inspectors to monitor, inspect and report on the nature, scope and effect of advisory and support services provided by boards under Article 29 of the 1989 Order in relation to the curricula and staff of grant‐aided schools.

[F3 (6A) Inspectors conducting the inspection of an establishment under this Article may monitor, inspect and report on any other aspect of the establishment including, in particular, the management of the establishment and the staffing, equipment, accommodation and other resources of the establishment.]

(7) The functions conferred by this Article on inspectors shall not be exercisable in relation to any provision for religious education included in the curriculum of a school under [F5 Article 5(1)(a) of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006] except with the agreement of the Board of Governors of the school.

(8) The Department may give directions under Article 101 for the purpose of remedying any matter referred to in a report under this Article.]

F1 1996 NI 1

F2 certain functions transf. by SR 1999/481

F3 1997 NI 15

F4 Words in Order substituted (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), Sch. 3 para. 1(1)(a) (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3), Sch. 3 para. 1(2)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)

F5 Words in art. 102(7) substituted (1.8.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(2), 44(1), Sch. 2 para. 5