Education Act 2005

2 Functions of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in England

(1) The Chief Inspector has the general duty of keeping the Secretary of State informed about—

(a) the quality of the education provided by schools in England,

(b) how far that education meets the needs of the range of pupils at those schools,

(c) the educational standards achieved in those schools,

(d) the quality of the leadership in and management of those schools, including whether the financial resources made available to those schools are managed efficiently,

(e) the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at those schools,

(f) the contribution made by those schools to the well-being of those pupils,

(g) the extent to which those schools are developing rigorous internal procedures of self-evaluation, and

(h) the behaviour and attendance of pupils at those schools.

(2) When asked to do so by the Secretary of State, the Chief Inspector must—

(a) give advice to the Secretary of State on such matters as may be specified in the Secretary of State’s request, and

(b) inspect and report on such school, or class of school, in England as may be so specified.

(3) In addition, the Chief Inspector must keep under review the extent to which any requirement imposed by or under this Part, or any other enactment, on any local education authority, proprietor of a school or governing body in relation to inspections of schools in England is complied with.

(4) The Chief Inspector may at any time give advice to the Secretary of State on any matter connected with schools, or a particular school, in England.

(5) The Chief Inspector is to have such other functions in connection with schools in England, including functions with respect to the training of teachers for such schools, as may be assigned to him by the Secretary of State.

(6) In exercising his functions, the Chief Inspector must have regard to such aspects of government policy as the Secretary of State may direct.