School inspections are changing

Closes 26 Nov 2025

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Section 1: People involved in inspection

 

School inspections involve a range of people who each play an important role. HM Inspectors lead the inspections. Teams can also include associate assessors. Associate assessors are experienced school leaders, middle leaders or local authority staff who join inspection teams.

Members of the public who are not education professionals are also sometimes involved in inspection teams - these people are called lay members. They are trained by HM Inspectors and provide a lay person’s views on areas such as the school’s links with parents and the local community.

To build a well-rounded understanding of the school’s work, HM Inspectors meet with learners, staff, school leaders, parents and carers, local authority representatives/proprietors of independent schools, and partner organisations.

We would like your views on the range of people involved in inspections and the value they bring.

1.1. To what extent do you agree or disagree that having associate assessors in inspection teams strengthens inspections?
1.2. To what extent do you agree or disagree that lay members should be part of inspection teams?
1.3. Senior leaders in schools are invited to join parts of the inspection process, such as observing learning alongside inspectors or taking part in professional discussions with the inspection team.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that this strengthens inspection? 

1.4. To what extent do you agree or disagree that local authority staff/proprietors of independent schools should contribute to school inspections by sharing relevant knowledge about the local context, including existing partnerships and support available to the school?
1.5. Inspectors already gather the views of children and young people through questionnaires, focus groups, and direct conversations.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that children and young people should have increased opportunities to contribute to inspections?

If you answered 'strongly agree' or 'agree', what approaches would ensure children and young people can meaningfully share their views during inspections?

1.6. Inspectors already gather the views of staff through questionnaires, focus groups and direct conversations.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that school staff should have increased opportunities to share their views during inspections?

If you answered 'strongly agree' or 'agree', what approaches would ensure school staff can meaningfully share their views during inspections? 

1.7. Inspectors already gather the views of parents and carers through questionnaires, focus groups and meeting the Chair of the Parent Council.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that parents and carers should have increased opportunities to share their views during inspections?

If you answered 'strongly agree' or 'agree', what approaches would ensure parents and carers can meaningfully share their views during inspections?