We have two main types of school inspections (apart from themed inspections and verification activities).
Risk based inspections
Sample inspections
We continually monitor risks by means of our digital performance monitor (see below), as well as based on incoming signals about the governing body or school. Furthermore we take an annual sample of schools which we plan to inspect, in that school year.
For these school level inspections we follow these steps.
All school inspections start with an expert analysis of the information available to the Inspectorate about the school. We look into the digital performance monitor (see link below) by analyzing the data, complaints, documents, former inspections, websites and other relevant sources.
In this conversation we discuss the risks or other findings that we have detected in our expert analysis with the governing body. We use this conversation to find out more about the school, to help us tailor the school inspection and decide what to focus on.
Inspections are costumized and aimed at assessing the areas that might be at risk. We assess a number of standards in the framework by carrying out observations and conversations with school personnel and stakeholders (like pupils and parents). This leads to an inspection report with judgements on the standards and a judgement of the school as a whole. This can lead to the judgement of an adequate, inadequate or very weak school. We give recovery orders based on legal requirements. The overall judgement and the report is published on our website.
The follow-up inspection is also customized, depending on how well the governing body is in control and the severity of the risks. A very weak school always receives a full inspection within a year. If they have not improved in that period, we notify the ministry.
