Secondary schools

Estyn carries out inspections of maintained secondary schools under Section 28 of the Education Act 2005. The Act requires the Chief Inspector to maintain a register of independent inspectors (registered, team and lay inspectors) whom she considers appropriate to conduct these inspections. Under the Act, the Chief Inspector may also direct Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education and Training (HMI) to inspect schools, where necessary.

All schools are inspected at least once every six years. These inspections cover all aspects of a school's provision, apart from denominational education and the content of collective worship in those voluntary schools specified in Section 50 of the Act.

The function of an inspection under Section 28 of the Act is to report on:

the educational standards achieved by the school;
the quality of education provided by the school;
how far education meets the needs of the range of pupils at the school;
the quality of leadership in and management of the school, including whether the financial resources are managed efficiently;
the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school; and
the contribution of the school to the well-being of pupils.

In undertaking these inspections, registered inspectors are required to comply with Estyn's Common Inspection Framework for Education and Training in Wales and the Guidance on the Inspection of Secondary Schools.

HMI monitor the quality of Section 28 inspections on behalf of the Chief Inspector.