| Inspectors in England belong to a body known as | | | | being capable of making sure that the inspection is |
| OFSTED (The Office For Standards and Skills in | | | | carried out to the exact standards required. Some |
| Education), and all schools are routinely inspected | | | | of the things inspectors must observe are; |
| in order to make sure they are providing a good | | | | - Lessons – they will sit in and observe |
| standard of education to children and to | | | | teachers whilst they are conducting lessons |
| recommend areas in which schools should aim to | | | | - Parents, governors, pupils and parents – |
| improve. | | | | they will speak to all these groups in an attempt |
| Most people who become school inspectors have | | | | to get an overall impression of the school |
| been head teachers, deputy head teachers or | | | | - Looking at examples of pupils work |
| head of department. They will be recruited by and | | | | - Parent teacher organisations |
| undergo training from local organisations known as | | | | - The school’s links with the outside |
| RISPs (Regional Inspection Service Providers) who | | | | community |
| work with Ofsted in order to deliver school | | | | At the end of the inspection they are required to |
| inspections. All school inspectors are trained in | | | | compile a detailed report in which they will note |
| order to become HMis or Her Majesty’s | | | | down any areas in which they feel the school |
| inspectors, and are directly employed by OFSTED. | | | | could improve. Hundreds of inspections are carried |
| For each school inspection a team of qualified | | | | out each month and they are publicly available and |
| inspectors are brought together, ranging in | | | | are a valuable source of information for parents |
| number from 2 to 12, and they must be able to | | | | when choosing a school for their children. |
| cover all the areas of the curriculum, and also | | | | Working for Ofsted carries with it a wide range |
| such areas as special educational needs. The | | | | of benefits including family friendly policies, flexible |
| inspection may take place over a few days to a | | | | working, good rates of pay, pension and health |
| few weeks, depending on the nature and size of | | | | club membership. There are also a range of work |
| the school. The team will be led by an | | | | opportunities which are home-based. |
| experienced inspector who has been certified as | | | | |