School Inspections Act 1996 (repealed)

Part I E+W School Inspections

Chapter I E+W SCHOOL INSPECTORS AND INSPECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY THEM

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for England E+W

1 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools in England. E+W

(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council appoint a person to the office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in England (“the Chief Inspector for England).

(2) Her Majesty may by Order in Council appoint persons as Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in England.

(3) Any person appointed as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in England shall serve, in accordance with the terms and conditions on which he is appointed, as a member of the staff of the Chief Inspector for England.

(4) The Chief Inspector for England shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment, but—

(a) shall not be appointed for a term of more than five years;

(b) may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Secretary of State;

(c) may be removed from office by Her Majesty on the ground of incapacity or misconduct.

(5) The previous appointment of a person as Chief Inspector for England shall not affect his eligibility for re-appointment.

(6) Schedule 1 to this Act makes further provision with respect to the Chief Inspector for England and his staff.

2 Functions of the Chief Inspector for England. E+W

(1) The Chief Inspector for England shall have the general duty of keeping the Secretary of State informed about—

(a) the quality of the education provided by schools in England;

(b) the educational standards achieved in those schools;

(c) whether the financial resources made available to those schools are managed efficiently; and

(d) the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at those schools.

(2) When asked to do so by the Secretary of State, the Chief Inspector for England shall—

(a) give advice to the Secretary of State on such matters as may be specified in the Secretary of State’s request;

(b) inspect and report on such school, or class of school, in England as may be so specified.

(3) The Chief Inspector for England shall, in addition, have the following specific duties—

(a) establishing and maintaining the register mentioned in section 7(1);

(b) giving guidance to inspectors registered in that register, and such other persons as he considers appropriate, in connection with inspections of schools in England under section 10 and the making of reports of such inspections;

(c) keeping under review the system of inspecting schools under that section (so far as it relates to schools in England) and, in particular, the standard of such inspections and of the reports made by registered inspectors;

(d) keeping under review the extent to which any requirement imposed by or under this Act, or any other enactment, on any registered inspector, local education authority, proprietor of a school or governing body in relation to inspections of schools in England is complied with;

(e) promoting efficiency in the conduct and reporting of inspections of schools in England by encouraging competition in the provision of services by registered inspectors.

(4) The Chief Inspector for England may at any time give advice to the Secretary of State on any matter connected with schools, or a particular school, in England.

(5) The Chief Inspector for England shall have such other functions in connection with schools in England, including functions with respect to the training of teachers for such schools, as may be assigned to him by the Secretary of State.

(6) In exercising his functions the Chief Inspector for England shall have regard to such aspects of government policy as the Secretary of State may direct.

(7) The Chief Inspector for England—

(a) shall make an annual report to the Secretary of State, who shall lay a copy of it before each House of Parliament;

(b) may make such other reports to the Secretary of State, with respect to matters which fall within the scope of his functions, as he considers appropriate; and

(c) may arrange for any report made by him under this subsection to be published in such manner as he considers appropriate.

[F1 (8) For the purposes of the exercise of any function conferred by or under this section the Chief Inspector for England shall have at all reasonable times, in relation to any school in England—

(a) a right of entry to the premises of the school; and

(b) a right to inspect, and take copies of, any records kept by the school, and any other documents containing information relating to the school, which he requires for those purposes.

(9) It shall be an offence wilfully to obstruct the Chief Inspector for England—

(a) in the exercise of his functions in relation to the inspection of a school for the purposes of subsection (2)(b); or

(b) in the exercise of any right under subsection (8) for the purposes of the exercise of any other function.]

(10) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (9) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 2(8)(9) substituted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para.2; S.I. 1997/1468, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt.II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 2(7)(a) modified (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 31, s. 122, Sch. 26 para.14 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2, Sch.1 Pt. I

S. 2(7)(a) modified (2.7.2001 for E. 1.4.2002 for W. ) by 1989 c. 41, s. 79N(6) (as inserted by The Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14), s. 79(1)); S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(a) (with Sch.); S.I. 2002/920, art. 3(3)(b), (with transitional provisions in Sch. 1-3)

C2 S. 2(7)(b) extended (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 31, s. 122, Sch. 26 para.14 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2, Sch.1 Pt. I

S. 2(7)(b) modified (2.7.2001 for E. 1.4.2002 for W.) 1989 c. 41, s. 79N(6) (as inserted by The Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14), s. 79(1)); S.I. 2001/2041, art. 2(1)(a) (with Sch.); S.I. 2002/920 {art. 3(3)(b)}, (with transitional provisions in Sch. 1-3)

3 Power of Chief Inspector for England to arrange for inspections. E+W

(1) The Chief Inspector for England may cause any school in England to be inspected by one or more of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in England (in this section referred to as “Inspectors).

(2) Where an inspection of a school in England is being conducted by a registered inspector under section 10 of this Act, the Chief Inspector for England may arrange for that inspection to be monitored by one or more Inspectors.

(3) Any Inspector inspecting a school, or monitoring an inspection, under this section shall have at all reasonable times—

(a) a right of entry to the premises of the school; and

(b) a right to inspect, and take copies of, any records kept by the school, and any other documents containing information relating to the school, which he considers relevant to the discharge of his functions.

(4) It shall be an offence wilfully to obstruct any Inspector in the exercise of any of his functions under this section.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 3(3)(a)(b) extended (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, s. 118(5)(a); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II

S. 3(3)(a)(b) extended (1.4.2001) by 1973 c. 50, s. 10B(6)(a) (as inserted (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, s. 122); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2, Sch. 2 Pt. II

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Wales E+W

4 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Schools in Wales. E+W

(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council appoint a person to the office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales (“the Chief Inspector for Wales).

(2) Her Majesty may by Order in Council appoint persons as Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in Wales.

(3) Any person appointed as one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in Wales shall serve, in accordance with the terms and conditions on which he is appointed, as a member of the staff of the Chief Inspector for Wales.

(4) The Chief Inspector for Wales shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment, but—

(a) shall not be appointed for a term of more than five years;

(b) may at any time resign by giving written notice to the Secretary of State;

(c) may be removed from office by Her Majesty on the ground of incapacity or misconduct.

(5) The previous appointment of a person as Chief Inspector for Wales shall not affect his eligibility for re-appointment.

(6) Schedule 1 to this Act makes further provision with respect to the Chief Inspector for Wales and his staff.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 4(4): transfer of functions (16.2.2000) by S.I. 2000/253, arts. 2, Sch. 1

5 Functions of the Chief Inspector for Wales. E+W

(1) The Chief Inspector for Wales shall have the general duty of keeping the Secretary of State informed about—

(a) the quality of the education provided by schools in Wales;

(b) the educational standards achieved in those schools;

(c) whether the financial resources made available to those schools are managed efficiently; and

(d) the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at those schools.

(2) When asked to do so by the Secretary of State, the Chief Inspector for Wales shall—

(a) give advice to the Secretary of State on such matters as may be specified in the Secretary of State’s request;

(b) inspect and report on such school, or class of school, in Wales as may be so specified.

(3) The Chief Inspector for Wales shall, in addition, have the following specific duties—

(a) establishing and maintaining the register mentioned in section 7(2);

(b) giving guidance to inspectors registered in that register, and such other persons as he considers appropriate, in connection with inspections of schools in Wales under section 10 and the making of reports of such inspections;

(c) keeping under review the system of inspecting schools under that section (so far as it relates to schools in Wales) and, in particular, the standard of such inspections and of the reports made by registered inspectors;

(d) keeping under review the extent to which any requirement imposed by or under this Act, or any other enactment, on any registered inspector, local education authority, proprietor of a school or governing body in relation to inspections of schools in Wales is complied with;

(e) promoting efficiency in the conduct and reporting of inspections of schools in Wales by encouraging competition in the provision of services by registered inspectors.

(4) The Chief Inspector for Wales may at any time give advice to the Secretary of State on any matter connected with schools, or a particular school, in Wales.

(5) The Chief Inspector for Wales shall have such other functions in connection with schools in Wales, including functions with respect to the training of teachers for such schools, as may be assigned to him by the Secretary of State.

(6) In exercising his functions the Chief Inspector for Wales shall have regard to such aspects of government policy as the Secretary of State may direct.

(7) The Chief Inspector for Wales—

(a) shall make an annual report to the Secretary of State, who shall lay a copy of it before each House of Parliament;

(b) may make such other reports to the Secretary of State, with respect to matters which fall within the scope of his functions, as he considers appropriate; and

(c) may arrange for any report made by him under this subsection to be published in such manner as he considers appropriate.

[F2 (8) For the purposes of the exercise of any function conferred by or under this section the Chief Inspector for Wales shall have at all reasonable times, in relation to any school in Wales—

(a) a right of entry to the premises of the school; and

(b) a right to inspect, and take copies of, any records kept by the school, and any other documents containing information relating to the school, which he requires for those purposes.

(9) It shall be an offence wilfully to obstruct the Chief Inspector for Wales—

(a) in the exercise of his functions in relation to the inspection of a school for the purposes of subsection (2)(b); or

(b) in the exercise of any right under subsection (8) for the purposes of the exercise of any other function.]

(10) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (9) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 5(8)(9) substituted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para.3; S.I. 1997/1468, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt.II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 5(7)(a) modified (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 31, s. 122, Sch. 26 para.14 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2, Sch.1 Pt. I

C6 S. 5(7)(b) extended (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 31, s. 122, Sch. 26 para.14 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1998/2212, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

6 Power of Chief Inspector for Wales to arrange for inspections. E+W

(1) The Chief Inspector for Wales may cause any school in Wales to be inspected by one or more of Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in Wales (in this section referred to as “Inspectors).

(2) Where an inspection of a school in Wales is being conducted by a registered inspector under section 10, the Chief Inspector for Wales may arrange for that inspection to be monitored by one or more Inspectors.

(3) Any Inspector inspecting a school, or monitoring an inspection, under this section shall have at all reasonable times—

(a) a right of entry to the premises of the school; and

(b) a right to inspect, and take copies of, any records kept by the school, and any other documents containing information relating to the school, which he considers relevant to the discharge of his functions.

(4) It shall be an offence wilfully to obstruct any Inspector in the exercise of any of his functions under this section.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Registered inspectors E+W

7 Registration of inspectors. E+W

(1) No person shall conduct an inspection of any school in England under section 10(1) unless he is registered as an inspector in a register kept by the Chief Inspector for England for the purposes of this Part.

(2) No person shall conduct an inspection of any school in Wales under section 10(2) unless he is registered as an inspector in a register kept by the Chief Inspector for Wales for the purposes of this Part.

(3) The Chief Inspector shall not register a person under this section unless, having regard to any conditions that he proposes to impose under subsection (5)(c), it appears to him that that person—

(a) is a fit and proper person for discharging the functions of a registered inspector; and

(b) will be capable of conducting inspections under this Part competently and effectively.

(4) An application for registration under this section—

(a) shall be made in such manner, and be accompanied by such particulars, as the Chief Inspector may direct; and

(b) shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(5) On an application duly made under this section the Chief Inspector may—

(a) register the applicant;

(b) refuse to register him; or

(c) register him subject to such conditions as the Chief Inspector considers it appropriate to impose.

(6) Conditions imposed under subsection (5)(c) may be conditions applying generally in relation to all cases, or particular classes of case, or such conditions together with specific conditions applying in the particular case.

(7) Where a person is registered subject to conditions imposed under subsection (5)(c), he shall be taken to be authorised to act as a registered inspector only so far as those conditions permit.

(8) The period for which any registration is to have effect shall be determined by the Chief Inspector and shall be entered in the register kept by him.

(9) Nothing in subsection (8) is to be taken as preventing a registered inspector from applying for a fresh registration to take effect immediately on the expiry of his current registration.

(10) Subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to section 12.

8 Removal from register and imposition or variation of conditions. E+W

(1) If the Chief Inspector is satisfied that any of the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) is satisfied with respect to an inspector registered in his register, he may remove the name of that inspector from that register.

(2) The conditions are that—

(a) he is no longer a fit and proper person for discharging the functions of a registered inspector under this Part;

(b) he is no longer capable of conducting inspections under this Part competently and effectively;

(c) there has been a significant failure on his part to comply with any condition imposed under section 7(5)(c) and subject to which his registration has effect;

(d) he has [F3 , without reasonable explanation,] produced a report of an inspection which is, in whole or in part, seriously misleading.

(3) If the Chief Inspector is satisfied—

(a) that he is authorised by subsection (2) to remove the name of an inspector from his register, or

(b) that it would otherwise be in the public interest to act under this subsection,

he may vary any condition subject to which the registration of that inspector has effect or vary that registration by imposing a condition subject to which it will have effect.

(4) Either Chief Inspector may, in exercising his functions under this section with respect to a registered inspector, have regard to any action taken by the other Chief Inspector with respect to that registered inspector.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in s. 8(2)(d) substituted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para.4; S.I. 1997/1468, arts. 2,4, Sch. 1 Pt. II, Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 Pt. I)

9 Appeals in relation to registration. E+W

(1) Any person who is aggrieved by—

(a) the refusal of the Chief Inspector to renew his registration under section 7,

(b) the imposition or variation of any condition subject to which he is registered under that section,

(c) the removal of his name from the relevant register under section 8,

may appeal against the Chief Inspector’s decision to a tribunal constituted in accordance with Schedule 2 to this Act.

(2) No such decision of the Chief Inspector shall have effect until—

(a) the disposal of any appeal against it which is duly made under this section; or

(b) the period within which an appeal may be made has expired without an appeal having been made.

(3) Subsection (2) shall not apply where the Chief Inspector—

(a) is satisfied that the circumstances of the case are exceptional and justify the decision in question taking effect immediately, or earlier than would otherwise be the case; and

(b) notifies the person concerned to that effect.

(4) On determining any appeal under this section, the tribunal may—

(a) confirm, reverse or vary the decision appealed against; or

(b) remit the case to the Chief Inspector with directions as to the action to be taken by him.

(5) Schedule 2 to this Act makes further provision with respect to tribunals constituted to hear appeals under this section.

Inspections by registered inspectors E+W

10 Inspection of certain schools by registered inspectors. E+W

(1) It shall be the duty of the Chief Inspector for England to secure that every school in England to which this section applies is inspected, at such intervals as may be prescribed, by an inspector registered under section 7(1).

(2) It shall be the duty of the Chief Inspector for Wales to secure that every school in Wales to which this section applies is inspected, at such intervals as may be prescribed, by an inspector registered under section 7(2).

(3) Subject to subsection (4) [F4 or (4A)], the schools to which this section applies are—

(a) county schools;

(b) voluntary schools;

(c) special schools;

(d) grant-maintained schools;

(e) independent schools approved by the Secretary of State under section 347(1) of the M1 Education Act 1996 (approval of independent schools as suitable for admitting children with statements);

(f) city technology colleges;

(g) city colleges for the technology of the arts; and

(h) maintained nursery schools.

(4) This section does not apply to any school conducted by an education association in accordance with Part II.

[F5 (4A) This section does not apply to any school—

(a) which is a closing school (as defined by subsection (4B)), and

(b) in respect of which the Chief Inspector has decided, having regard to the date on which the closure is to take effect, that no useful purpose would be served by the school being inspected under this section.

(4B) In subsection (4A) a “closing school means—

(a) a county, voluntary or maintained nursery school in respect of which the Secretary of State has under section 169 of the M2 Education Act 1996 approved proposals by the local education authority to cease to maintain the school;

(b) a voluntary school in respect of which the governing body have given notice of their intention to discontinue the school under section 173 of that Act;

(c) a grant-maintained school in respect of which—

(i) the Secretary of State has under section 269 of that Act approved proposals for the discontinuance of the school, or

(ii) the funding authority have made a determination under that section to adopt proposals for the discontinuance of the school;

(d) a maintained or grant-maintained special school in respect of which the Secretary of State has under section 340 of that Act approved proposals for the discontinuance of the school;

(e) a city technology college or city college for the technology of the arts in respect of which notice of termination of an agreement made under section 482 of that Act has been given; or

(f) an independent school falling within subsection (3)(e) which the proprietor has decided to close.]

(5) It shall be the general duty of any registered inspector conducting an inspection under this section to report on—

(a) the quality of the education provided by the school;

(b) the educational standards achieved in the school;

(c) whether the financial resources made available to the school are managed efficiently; and

(d) the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school.

(6) In prescribing the intervals mentioned in subsections (1) and (2) the Secretary of State may make provision as to the period within which the first inspection of a school under this section is to begin.

(7) Subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to section 12.

(8) An inspection which is required under this section shall not extend to—

(a) denominational education, or

(b) the content of collective worship which falls to be inspected under section 23.

(9) Schedule 3 to this Act makes further provision with respect to inspections under this section.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in s. 10(3) inserted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para. 6(2); S.I. 1997/1468, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt.II

F5 S. 10(4A)(4B) inserted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para. 6(3); S.I. 1997/1468, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt.II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 10 applied (with modifications)(1.9.1997) by S.I. 1994/2103, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 3A (as substituted (1.9.1997) by S.I. 1997/1966, reg. 1(2), Sch. Pt. II(a))

Marginal Citations

M1 1996 c. 56.

M2 1996 c. 56.

Chapter II E+W PROCEDURE FOR INSPECTIONS UNDER CHAPTER I

Introductory E+W

11 Application of provisions of Chapter II. E+W

(1) Except as is otherwise provided in section 15, sections 13 to 15, in their application to—

(a) inspections under section 2(2)(b), 3(1), 5(2)(b) or 6(1) by a member of the Inspectorate, or

(b) inspections under section 10,

apply irrespective of the nature of the schools inspected.

(2) Except as is otherwise provided in section 18, sections 16 to 19, in their application to such inspections, apply with respect to county, voluntary, maintained special, grant-maintained or grant-maintained special schools.

(3) Sections 20 to 22, in their application to such inspections, apply with respect to schools not falling within subsection (2) above.

(4) In this Chapter, in its application to an inspection of a school falling within subsection (2)—

• “appropriate appointing authority means, in relation to any aided or special agreement school—

  (a)

  the appropriate diocesan authority, if it is a Church of England school, Church in Wales school or Roman Catholic Church school, and

  (b)

  in any other case, the person who appoints the foundation governors; and

• “appropriate authority—

  (a)

  in relation to any county, voluntary or maintained special school, means the school’s governing body or, if the governing body do not have a delegated budget, the local education authority, and

  (b)

  in relation to a grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school, means the school’s governing body.

(5) In this Chapter, in its application to an inspection of a school falling within subsection (3), “appropriate authority means—

(a) in the case of a school falling within paragraph (e), (f) or (g) of section 10(3), the proprietor of the school;

(b) in the case of a maintained nursery school whose governing body does not have a delegated budget, the local education authority; and

(c) in any other case, the school’s governing body.

(6) In this Chapter “section 10 inspection means an inspection under section 10.

12 Inspections by members of the Inspectorate. E+W

(1) Where an inspection of a school is required under section 10 but the Chief Inspector is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable to secure that the school is inspected by a suitable registered inspector, he shall secure that it is inspected by a member of the Inspectorate.

(2) Where such an inspection is conducted by a member of the Inspectorate by virtue of this section, the following provisions, namely—

(a) section 10(1), (2) and (5) and Schedule 3, and

(b) section 13(1),

shall (unless the context otherwise requires) have effect in relation to the inspection as if the member of the Inspectorate were a registered inspector.

(3) If the Chief Inspector so elects in the case of any inspection of a school by a member of the Inspectorate under section 2(2)(b), 3(1), 5(2)(b) or 6(1), that inspection shall be treated for the purposes of the relevant provisions—

(a) as if it were an inspection under section 10, and

(b) in the case of sections 10(1) and (2) and 13(1), as if the member of the Inspectorate were a registered inspector.

(4) In subsection (3) “the relevant provisions means sections 10(1) and (2), 13(1) and 14 and—

(a) (in the case of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(2)) sections 16 to 19; and

(b) (in the case of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(3)) sections 20 to 22.

Inspections and reports: all schools E+W

13 Section 10 inspections by registered inspectors. E+W

(1) Where a section 10 inspection by a registered inspector has been completed, the inspector shall make in writing a report of the inspection and a summary of the report.

(2) Where the inspector is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school he shall submit a draft of the report of the inspection to the Chief Inspector.

(3) If the Chief Inspector so requests, an inspector who has submitted a draft under subsection (2) shall provide the Chief Inspector with such further information as the Chief Inspector may specify.

(4) The Chief Inspector shall inform an inspector who has submitted a draft under subsection (2) whether he agrees or disagrees with the inspector’s opinion.

(5) Where—

(a) the Chief Inspector informs the inspector that he disagrees with the inspector’s opinion, but

(b) the inspector remains of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school,

the inspector may not make a report stating that opinion unless the terms in which he makes the report are substantially the same (except as to the statement required by subsection (7)(b)) as the draft or as a subsequent draft submitted to the Chief Inspector under this subsection.

(6) Where a subsequent draft is submitted under subsection (5), the Chief Inspector shall inform the inspector whether he agrees or disagrees with the inspector’s opinion.

(7) A report made by a registered inspector who is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school shall—

(a) state his opinion, and

(b) state whether the Chief Inspector agrees or disagrees with his opinion.

(8) If a report of an inspection of a school by a registered inspector is made in circumstances where—

(a) he is of the opinion that special measures are not required to be taken in relation to the school, but

(b) in the latest report of an inspection of the school, the person making the report stated that in his opinion such measures were required to be taken and either—

(i) that person was a member of the Inspectorate, or

(ii) the report stated that the Chief Inspector agreed with his opinion,

the registered inspector shall state his opinion in the report.

(9) For the purposes of this Act special measures are required to be taken in relation to a school if the school is failing or likely to fail to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 S. 13(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (1.10.2000 for specified purposes otherwise 1.4.2001 (E.) and 1.4.2002 (W.)) by 2000 c. 21, s. 113(1), Sch. 7 paras. 7, 14; S.I. 2000/2559, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I; S.I. 2001/654, art. 2, Sch. Pt. II; S.I. 2001/2705, art. 2, Sch. Pt. I

14 Reports of inspections by members of the Inspectorate. E+W

(1) Where on the completion of any inspection of a school under section 2(2)(b), 3(1), 5(2)(b) or 6(1) by a member of the Inspectorate, that person is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, he shall—

(a) prepare in writing a report of the inspection and a summary of the report, and

(b) state his opinion in the report.

(2) If on the completion of any such inspection of a school by a member of the Inspectorate in circumstances where—

(a) he is of the opinion that special measures are not required to be taken in relation to the school, but

(b) in the latest report of an inspection of the school, the person making the report stated that in his opinion such measures were required to be taken and either—

(i) that person was a member of the Inspectorate, or

(ii) the report stated that the Chief Inspector agreed with his opinion,

the member of the Inspectorate shall prepare in writing a report of the inspection and a summary of the report and state his opinion in the report.

(3) A report of a section 10 inspection of a school by a member of the Inspectorate shall, if he is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, state his opinion.

(4) If a report of a section 10 inspection of a school by a member of the Inspectorate is made in circumstances where—

(a) he is of the opinion that special measures are not required to be taken in relation to the school, but

(b) in the latest report of an inspection of the school, the person making the report stated that in his opinion such measures were required to be taken and either—

(i) that person was a member of the Inspectorate, or

(ii) the report stated that the Chief Inspector agreed with his opinion,

the member of the Inspectorate shall state his opinion in the report.

15 Timing of section 10 inspections by registered inspectors. E+W

(1) The carrying out of a section 10 inspection shall be completed by the time allowed under subsection (2) below, and the making of the report required by section 13 shall be completed within the period allowed under that subsection.

(2) The time, and the period, allowed shall be such as may be prescribed, subject to any such extension of the period as the Chief Inspector may consider necessary to make; but the total period allowed must not exceed the prescribed period extended by three months.

(3) In the case of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(2) the Chief Inspector shall give notice in writing of any extension under subsection (2) above to—

(a) the inspector;

(b) the local education authority in the case of a county, voluntary or maintained special school; and

(c) the governing body.

(4) In the case of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(3) the Chief Inspector shall give notice in writing of any extension under subsection (2) above to—

(a) the inspector;

(b) the appropriate authority; and

(c) the Secretary of State, except where the school is a maintained nursery school.

(5) This section does not apply to a section 10 inspection carried out by a member of the Inspectorate.

Destination of reports and special measures: schools within s. 11(2) E+W

16 Destination of reports. E+W

(1) In the case of a report of a section 10 inspection of a school falling within section 11(2), the person making the report shall without delay—

(a) send a copy of the report together with the summary of it to the appropriate authority for the school and, if it is a grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school, to the Secretary of State; and

(b) if in the case of a county, voluntary or maintained special school the report states that the person making it is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, and either—

(i) that person is a member of the Inspectorate, or

(ii) the report states that the Chief Inspector agrees with his opinion,

send a copy of the report and summary to the Secretary of State.

(2) In a case where—

(a) a report of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(2) is made by a member of the Inspectorate, and

(b) he is required by section 14(1)(b) to state in the report that he is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school,

the member of the Inspectorate shall send a copy of the report together with the summary of it to the appropriate authority for the school and the Secretary of State.

(3) In any case, copies of the report and summary referred to in subsection (1) or (2) shall be sent by the person who made the report—

(a) to the Chief Inspector (unless the report was made by a member of the Inspectorate);

(b) to the head teacher of the school;

(c) in the case of a county, voluntary or maintained special school, to whichever of the local education authority and the governing body are not the appropriate authority;

(d) in the case of a school having foundation governors, to the person who appoints them and (if different) to the appropriate appointing authority;

(e) to any person named as a sponsor of the school in the instrument of government; and

(f) in the case of any school in a group of grant-maintained schools in respect of which any person has power to appoint an externally appointed core governor under a provision of the instrument of government made in pursuance of Schedule 25 to the M3 Education Act 1996 (core governors for groups), to that person.

(4) The appropriate authority shall—

(a) make a copy of any report and summary sent to the authority under subsection (1) or (2) available for inspection by members of the public at such times and at such place as may be reasonable;

(b) provide a copy of the report and summary, free of charge or in prescribed cases on payment of such fee as they think fit (not exceeding the cost of supply), to any person who asks for one; and

(c) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school receives a copy of the summary [F6 within such period following receipt of the report by the authority as may be prescribed].

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in s. 16(4)(c) substituted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para.7; S.I. 1997/1468, arts. 2,4, Sch. 1 Pt. II, Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 Pt. I)

Marginal Citations

M3 1996 c. 56.

Yn ddilys o 02/09/2002

[F7 16A Duty to notify where inspection shows school causing concern E+W

(1) Subsection (2) applies in relation to a school falling within section 11(2) where—

(a) following an inspection of the school under Part 1 by a member of the Inspectorate, that member has informed the Chief Inspector of his opinion—

(i) that the school has serious weaknesses, or

(ii) that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school,

(b) following an inspection of the school under Part 1 by a registered inspector, the Chief Inspector has been notified in writing by the inspector of the inspector’s opinion that the school has serious weaknesses, or

(c) the Chief Inspector agrees with the opinion of a registered inspector, expressed in a draft report submitted to the Chief Inspector under section 13(2), that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school.

(2) Where this subsection applies, the Chief Inspector shall without delay give the Secretary of State a notice in writing stating that the case falls within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1).

(3) On receiving a notice under subsection (2), the Secretary of State shall without delay give the local education authority a notice in writing stating that he has been informed by the Chief Inspector that the case falls within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1).

(4) For the purposes of this section a school has serious weaknesses if, although giving its pupils in general an acceptable standard of education, it has significant weaknesses in one or more areas of its activities.]

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 16A inserted (2.9.2002 for E. and otherwise prosp.) by Education Act 2002 (c. 32), ss. 54, 216(4); S.I. 2002/2002, art. 4

17 Special measures by appropriate authority. E+W

(1) Where there is sent to the appropriate authority for a school falling within section 11(2) either—

(a) a report of a section 10 inspection of the school, or

(b) a report of an inspection of the school by a member of the Inspectorate in which that person is required by section 14(1)(b) to state that he is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school,

the appropriate authority shall prepare a written statement of the action which they propose to take in the light of the report and the period within which they propose to take it.

(2) It is the duty of the appropriate authority to prepare the statement within the period allowed by this subsection, that is—

(a) such period as may be prescribed, or

(b) if—

(i) the report states that the person making it is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, and

(ii) either that person is a member of the Inspectorate or the report states that the Chief Inspector agrees with his opinion, and

(iii) the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the urgency of the case requires a shorter period,

such shorter period as the Secretary of State may direct;

but this subsection does not relieve the appropriate authority of any duty to prepare a statement which has not been performed within that period.

(3) Where such a statement has been prepared by the appropriate authority they shall, before the end of the prescribed period, send copies of it—

(a) to the Chief Inspector;

(b) in the case of a county, voluntary or maintained special school, to whichever of the governing body and the local education authority are not the appropriate authority;

(c) in the case of a grant-maintained or grant-maintained special school, to the Secretary of State; and

(d) in such circumstances as may be prescribed, to such other persons (if any) as may be prescribed.

(4) If in the case of a county, voluntary or maintained special school—

(a) the statement is prepared in response to a report of an inspection of the school in which the person who made the report states that in his opinion special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, and

(b) either that person is a member of the Inspectorate or the report states that the Chief Inspector agrees with his opinion,

the appropriate authority shall, before the end of the prescribed period, send a copy of the statement to the Secretary of State.

(5) The appropriate authority shall also send a copy of the statement—

(a) in the case of a school having foundation governors, to the person who appoints them and (if different) to the appropriate appointing authority;

(b) to any person named as a sponsor of the school in the instrument of government; and

(c) in the case of any school in a group of grant-maintained schools in respect of which any person has power to appoint an externally appointed core governor under a provision of the instrument of government made in pursuance of Schedule 25 to the M4 Education Act 1996 (core governors for groups), to that person.

(6) The appropriate authority shall—

(a) make any statement prepared by them under this section available for inspection by members of the public, at such times and at such place as may be reasonable;

(b) provide a copy of the statement, free of charge or in prescribed cases on payment of such fee as they think fit (not exceeding the cost of supply); and

(c) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school receives a copy of the statement as soon as is reasonably practicable.

[F8 (6A) The duty under subsection (6)(c) shall be taken to be satisfied by the appropriate authority if they—

(a) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school receives, as soon as is reasonably practicable, a copy of a document prepared by them which—

(i) summarises the statement, and

(ii) contains a statement of the right to request a copy of it under paragraph (b) below, and

(b) provide a copy of the statement to every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school who asks for one.]

(7) Where the governing body of a school have prepared a statement under this section, they shall in the report referred to in—

(a) section 161 of the M5 Education Act 1996 (governors’ report in case of county, voluntary or maintained special school), or

(b) paragraph 7 of Schedule 23 to that Act (governors’ report for grant-maintained school),

as the case may be, state the extent to which the proposals set out in the statement (or if there is more than one, the most recent statement) have been carried into effect.

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 17(6A) inserted (4.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/1142, art.2

Marginal Citations

M4 1996 c. 56.

M5 1996 c. 56.

18 Additional special measures by local education authority. E+W

(1) This section applies in circumstances where—

(a) in a report of an inspection of a county, voluntary or maintained special school the governing body of which have a delegated budget, the person who made the report stated that in his opinion special measures were required to be taken in relation to the school; and

(b) either that person was a member of the Inspectorate or the report stated that the Chief Inspector agreed with his opinion; and

(c) either—

(i) the local education authority have received a copy of a statement prepared under section 17 in response to the report, or

(ii) the period prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) of that section has expired.

(2) The local education authority shall—

(a) prepare a written statement of any action they propose to take in the light of the report, and the period within which they propose to take such action, or, if they do not propose to take any such action, of their reasons for not doing so, and

(b) send a copy of the statement prepared under paragraph (a) above, together with their comments on any statement prepared under section 17 of which they have received a copy, to the Secretary of State and the Chief Inspector and, in the case of an aided or special agreement school—

(i) to the person who appoints the foundation governors, and

(ii) (if different) to the appropriate appointing authority.

(3) It is the duty of the local education authority to prepare the statement within the period allowed by this subsection, that is—

(a) such period as may be prescribed, or

(b) if the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the urgency of the case requires a shorter period, such shorter period as the Secretary of State may direct;

but this subsection does not relieve the local education authority of any duty to prepare a statement which has not been performed within that period.

19 Monitoring special measures and further inspections. E+W

(1) This section applies in circumstances where—

(a) in a report of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(2) the person who made it stated that in his opinion special measures were required to be taken in relation to the school; and

(b) either that person was a member of the Inspectorate or the report stated that the Chief Inspector agreed with his opinion; and

(c) either—

(i) a statement has been prepared under section 17, or

(ii) the period prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) of that section has expired; and

(d) if any registered inspector or member of the Inspectorate has made a later report of an inspection of the school, he did not state in the report that in his opinion special measures were not required to be taken in relation to the school.

(2) Regulations may make provision with a view to securing that any measures taken by—

(a) the appropriate authority, and

(b) in the case of a school which has a delegated budget, the local education authority,

for improving the standard of education at the school are monitored in accordance with the regulations by such persons as may be prescribed.

(3) The regulations may, in particular, provide for reports to be made by such persons and at such intervals as may be prescribed.

(4) The regulations may authorise the Secretary of State to require the Chief Inspector to conduct further inspections of the school and prepare further reports of such inspections.

(5) In respect of cases where—

(a) any report prepared in pursuance of a requirement imposed by virtue of subsection (4) states that, in the opinion of the person who prepared it, special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school concerned, but the grounds for that opinion are substantially different from the grounds for the opinion in any preceding report by a registered inspector or member of the Inspectorate, or

(b) any report prepared in pursuance of any such requirement states that, in the opinion of the person who prepared it, special measures are not required to be taken in relation to the school concerned,

the regulations may make provision corresponding to any of the provisions of this Chapter so far as it has effect in relation to schools falling within section 11(2).

Destination of reports and special measures: schools within s. 11(3) E+W

20 Destination of reports. E+W

(1) In the case of a report of a section 10 inspection of a school falling within section 11(3), the person making the report shall without delay—

(a) send a copy of the report together with the summary of it—

(i) to the appropriate authority for the school, and

(ii) (unless the person making it is a member of the Inspectorate) to the Chief Inspector, and

(b) if the report states that the person making it is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, and either—

(i) that person is a member of the Inspectorate, or

(ii) the report states that the Chief Inspector agrees with his opinion,

send a copy of the report and summary to the Secretary of State.

(2) In a case where—

(a) a report of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(3) is made by a member of the Inspectorate, and

(b) he is required by section 14(1)(b) to state in the report that he is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school,

the member of the Inspectorate shall send a copy of the report together with the summary of it to the appropriate authority for the school and to the Secretary of State.

(3) In the case of—

(a) a special school which is not a maintained or grant-maintained special school, or

(b) an independent school approved by the Secretary of State under section 347(1) of the M6 Education Act 1996 (approval of independent schools as suitable for admitting children with statements),

the appropriate authority shall without delay send a copy of any report and summary sent to them under subsection (1) or (2) to the funding authority, or any local education authority, if the authority are paying fees in respect of the attendance of a registered pupil at the school.

(4) The appropriate authority shall—

(a) make any report and summary sent to the authority under subsection (1) or (2) available for inspection by members of the public at such times and at such place as may be reasonable;

(b) provide a copy of the report and summary, free of charge or in prescribed cases on payment of such fee as they think fit (not exceeding the cost of supply), to any person who asks for one; and

(c) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school receives a copy of the summary [F9 within such period following receipt of the report by the authority as may be prescribed].

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in s. 20(4)(c) substituted (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 44, s. 42, Sch. 6 para.7; 1997/1468, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. II

Marginal Citations

M6 1996 c. 56.

21 Special measures by appropriate authority. E+W

(1) Where there is sent to the appropriate authority for a school falling within section 11(3) either—

(a) a report of a section 10 inspection of the school, or

(b) a report of an inspection of the school made by a member of the Inspectorate in which that person is required by section 14(1)(b) to state that he is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school,

the appropriate authority shall prepare a written statement of the action which they propose to take in the light of the report and the period within which they propose to take it.

(2) It is the duty of the appropriate authority to prepare the statement within the period allowed by this subsection, that is—

(a) such period as may be prescribed, or

(b) if—

(i) the report states that the person making it is of the opinion that special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school, and

(ii) either that person is a member of the Inspectorate or the report states that the Chief Inspector agrees with his opinion, and

(iii) the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the urgency of the case requires a shorter period,

such shorter period as the Secretary of State may direct;

but this subsection does not relieve the appropriate authority of any duty to prepare a statement which has not been performed within that period.

(3) Where such a statement has been prepared by the appropriate authority they shall, before the end of the prescribed period, send copies of it—

(a) to the Chief Inspector;

(b) to the Secretary of State, except in the case of a maintained nursery school; and

(c) in such circumstances as may be prescribed, to such other persons (if any) as may be prescribed.

(4) In the case of—

(a) a special school which is not a maintained or grant-maintained special school, or

(b) an independent school approved by the Secretary of State under section 347(1) of the M7 Education Act 1996 (approval of independent schools as suitable for admitting children with statements),

the appropriate authority shall, before the end of the prescribed period, send a copy of any such statement prepared by them to the funding authority, or any local education authority, if the authority are paying fees in respect of the attendance of a registered pupil at the school.

(5) The appropriate authority shall—

(a) make any statement prepared by them under this section available for inspection by members of the public, at such times and at such place as may be reasonable;

(b) provide a copy of the statement, free of charge or in prescribed cases on payment of such fee as they think fit (not exceeding the cost of supply); and

(c) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school receives a copy of the statement as soon as is reasonably practicable.

[F10 (6) The duty under subsection (5)(c) shall be taken to be satisfied by the appropriate authority if they—

(a) take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school receives, as soon as is reasonably practicable, a copy of a document prepared by them which—

(i) summarises the statement, and

(ii) contains a statement of the right to request a copy of it under paragraph (b) below, and

(b) provide a copy of the statement to every registered parent of a registered pupil at the school who asks for one.]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 21(6) inserted (4.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/1142, art.3

Marginal Citations

M7 1996 c. 56.

22 Monitoring special measures. E+W

(1) This section applies in circumstances where—

(a) in a report of an inspection of a school falling within section 11(3) the person who made it stated that in his opinion special measures were required to be taken in relation to the school; and

(b) either that person was a member of the Inspectorate or the report stated that the Chief Inspector agreed with his opinion; and

(c) either—

(i) a statement has been prepared under section 21 of this Act, or

(ii) the period prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3) of that section has expired, and

(d) if any registered inspector or member of the Inspectorate has made a later report of an inspection of the school, he did not in the report state that, in his opinion, special measures were not required to be taken in relation to the school.

(2) Regulations may make provision with a view to securing that any measures taken by the appropriate authority for improving the standard of education at the school are monitored in accordance with the regulations by such persons as may be prescribed.

(3) The regulations may, in particular, provide for reports to be made by such persons and at such intervals as may be prescribed.

(4) The regulations may authorise the Secretary of State to require the Chief Inspector to conduct further inspections of the school and prepare further reports of such inspections.

(5) In respect of cases where—

(a) any report prepared in pursuance of a requirement imposed by virtue of subsection (4) states that, in the opinion of the person who prepared it, special measures are required to be taken in relation to the school concerned, but the grounds for that opinion are substantially different from the grounds for the opinion in any preceding report by a registered inspector or member of the Inspectorate, or

(b) any report prepared in pursuance of any such requirement states that, in the opinion of the person who prepared it, special measures are not required to be taken in relation to the school concerned,

the regulations may make provision corresponding to any of the provisions of this Chapter so far as it has effect in relation to schools falling within section 11(3).

Chapter III E+W OTHER INSPECTIONS

Religious education E+W

23 Inspection of religious education. E+W

(1) It shall be the duty of the governing body of—

(a) any voluntary school, or

(b) any grant-maintained school,

in which denominational education is given to any pupils to secure that that education is inspected under this section.

(2) It shall be the duty of the governing body of—

(a) any voluntary school, or

(b) any grant-maintained school falling within subsection (3),

to secure that the content of the school’s collective worship is inspected under this section.

(3) A grant-maintained school falls within this subsection if—

(a) it was a voluntary school immediately before it became grant-maintained, or

(b) it was established in pursuance of proposals published under section 212 of the M8 Education Act 1996 (proposals by promoters) and either—

(i) any trust deed relating to the school, or

(ii) the statement required by paragraph 8 of Schedule 20 to that Act,

makes provision as to religious education for pupils at the school, or

(c) it is a school in respect of which there are approved under section 261 of that Act (approval of proposed alterations etc.) proposals for the required provision for religious education to be provision for religious education in accordance with the tenets of a particular religion or religious denomination.

(4) In this Act “denominational education, in relation to a school, means any religious education which—

(a) is required by section 352(1)(a) of the Education Act 1996 to be included in the school’s basic curriculum, but

(b) is not required by any enactment to be given in accordance with an agreed syllabus;

and in this section—

(i) “the required provision for religious education means the provision for religious education for pupils at the school which is required as mentioned in paragraph (a) above, and

(ii) references to collective worship are references to collective worship required by section 385 of that Act.

(5) An inspection under this section shall be conducted by a person chosen by—

(a) the foundation governors, in the case of a controlled school; and

(b) the governing body, in any other case.

(6) The person chosen need not be a registered inspector.

(7) Inspections under this section shall be carried out at such intervals as may be prescribed; and in prescribing the intervals the Secretary of State may make provision as to the period within which the first inspection under this section with respect to a school is to begin.

(8) It shall be the general duty of a person conducting an inspection under this section—

(a) if the inspection is conducted by virtue of subsection (1), to report on the quality of the denominational education provided by the school for pupils to whom denominational education is given by the school, or

(b) if the inspection is conducted by virtue of subsection (2), to report on the content of the school’s collective worship,

and any such person may report on the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school.

(9) A person conducting an inspection under this section may do so with the assistance of such other persons chosen by him as are in his opinion fit and proper persons for carrying out the inspection.

(10) Schedule 4 to this Act makes further provision with respect to inspections under this section.

Marginal Citations

M8 1996 c. 56.

Local authority inspection services E+W

24 Provision of inspection services by local education authorities. E+W

(1) Any local education authority may provide a school inspection service for schools within their area.

(2) In this section “school inspection service, in relation to any local education authority, means a service providing for the inspection of schools under section 10 or 23 by officers of the authority.

(3) Any school inspection service provided by a local education authority may, in addition to providing for the inspection of schools which are maintained by them, provide for the inspection of schools which are not maintained by them.

(4) Any school inspection service provided by a local education authority shall be operated by the authority in such a way as can reasonably be expected to secure that the full cost of providing the service is recovered by way of charges made by the authority to those using the service.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) make provision as to the making of tenders by local education authorities (as required by paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to this Act);

(b) make provision with respect to the accounts to be kept by local education authorities in connection with any school inspection services provided by them; and

(c) make such incidental and supplemental provision with respect to school inspection services provided by local education authorities as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9 S. 24 functions of a local education authority made exercisable (E.) (1.4.2002) by authorised persons by (Contracting Out (Local Education Authority Functions) (England) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/928), art. 3, Sch. 3(f)

25 Power of local education authority to inspect maintained school for specific purpose. E+W

(1) Where—

(a) for the purpose of enabling them to exercise any function of theirs, a local education authority require information about any matter in connection with a school which is maintained by them, and

(b) it is not reasonably practicable for them to obtain the information in any other manner,

they may cause an inspection of the school to be made by one or more of their officers for the purpose of obtaining the information.

(2) Any officer of a local education authority inspecting a school under this section shall have at all reasonable times a right of entry to the premises of the school.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 S. 25(1) functions of a local education authority made exercisable (E.) (1.4.2002) by authorised persons by Contracting Out (Local Education Authority Functions) (England) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/928), art. 3, Sch. 3(g)