The Education (School Inspection) Regulations 1993

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which come into force on 5th July 1993, fall into four parts. Part I contains general provisions only.

Part II contains provisions applying to the inspection of schools in England under section 9 of the Education (Schools) Act 1992.

Regulation 4 provides that the first inspection of a secondary school is to take place on or after 1st September 1993 but before 1st August 1997 and the first inspection of a school of any other type on or after 1st September 1994 but before 1st August 1998; subsequent inspections are to take place within four school years (defined by regulation 2 as years commencing on 1st August) from the end of the school year when the last inspection took place.

Regulation 5 specifies the persons whom the appropriate authority for schools of the types mentioned must notify of the time when the inspection is to take place.

The appropriate authority must also arrange a meeting with parents under paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 2 to the Act, and regulation 6 provides that they shall select a time before the inspection is to begin for the meeting, have regard to the convenience of parents in selecting a time and place for the meeting, give three weeks' notice of the meeting, and permit attendance only to the registered inspector and the inspection team, any person whom the registered inspector asks to provide administrative support or to record what is said, the parents of registered pupils and, in particular cases, local authority representatives, and any Inspector monitoring the inspection. Otherwise, the registered inspector is to have control of the meeting.

Regulation 7 sets time limits for the preparation of the report and the summary by the registered inspector and the preparation and distribution of the action plan by the appropriate authority.

Regulation 8 provides for fees to be charged for the provision of copies of the report, summary and action plan in particular cases.

Part III contains provisions applying to the inspection of denominational religious education in schools under section 13 of the Act.

Regulation 10 sets time limits for first and subsequent inspections.

Regulation 11 sets time limits for the preparation of the report and the summary by the inspector and the preparation and distribution of the additional action plan by the appropriate authority.

Regulation 12 provides for fees to be charged for the provision of copies of the report, summary and additional action plan in particular cases.

Part IV, regulation 13, provides for local education authorities to keep accounts for each financial year in which they provide a school inspection service.