School Inspections Act 1996

12 Inspections by members of the Inspectorate

(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.