Education Act 2002 (c. 32)

Part 10 E+W Independent schools

Valid from 01/09/2003

Chapter 1 E+W Regulation of independent schools

Enforcement of standards after registration E+W

163 Power to inspect registered schools E+W

(1) The registration authority may at any time—

(a) require the Chief Inspector to inspect any registered school, or to secure its inspection by one or more registered inspectors, or

(b) arrange for the inspection of any registered school by a body approved by the registration authority for the purposes of this subsection.

(2) The inspection of a school under this section shall relate to—

(a) such of the independent school standards as are, at the time of the inspection, specified by the authority for the purposes of this section in relation to any category of school into which that school falls, or

(b) if the authority so determines, such of the independent school standards as the authority may specify in relation to that school.

(3) A person who conducts an inspection under this section shall—

(a) make a report to the registration authority on the extent to which the school meets the standard or standards to which the inspection relates, and

(b) if the registration authority so requires, arrange for the publication of the report in the prescribed manner.

(4) A report published under subsection (3) is privileged for the purposes of the law of defamation unless the publication is shown to be made with malice (but without prejudice to any privilege subsisting apart from this subsection).