School inspections are changing

Closes 26 Nov 2025

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Section 6: Design and content of a school inspection framework

 

 

HM Inspectors use a framework, How Good Is Our School? (4th Edition), to ensure a consistent approach to evaluating the quality of education in schools, including primary, secondary, and special schools. Inspectors also use How Good Is our School? (4th Edition) alongside the Advice on Gaelic Education  when inspecting Gaelic Medium Education. The same framework is also used by schools to support their own self-evaluation, helping them reflect on what they do well and where they can improve. This shared approach ensures a common understanding of what high-quality education looks like across the education system. The framework includes a set of ‘quality indicators’ that cover key areas such as learning and teaching, leadership, wellbeing, and raising attainment.

How Good Is Our School? (4th Edition), has not been updated since it was launched in 2015.

We would like your views on the format, purpose and content of a new school inspection framework.

6.1. Which of the following best describes your view on the format of a new school inspection framework?
6.2. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about a school inspection framework?
The list below shows some of the key areas that could be included in a future school inspection framework. The framework sets out what matters in evaluating the quality of education and helps ensure consistency across schools. Not every inspection will cover every area of the framework. Inspectors may draw on any areas in the framework when planning and conducting an inspection, depending on the focus of the visit.

6.3. How important do you think each of these areas is for inclusion in a school inspection framework?

Do you think anything is missing from this list? Please suggest any other areas you consider important.