Interim visits: a supportive approach to school inspections

Interim visits are a new feature within our inspection framework for primary schools, secondary schools, all-age schools, and pupil referral units (PRUs). These visits, introduced in September 2024, provide school leaders with the opportunity to engage in professional discussions with inspectors about their progress, challenges, and areas for improvement.

Unlike core inspections, interim visits are not intended to draw overall conclusion about the effectiveness of a school but they will support leaders to review progress since the last core inspection and consider their next steps for improvement.  Inspectors will meet with school leaders during an interim visit to discuss self-evaluation, priorities, and actions taken to improve teaching and learning.

Why have interim visits been introduced?

Feedback from stakeholders suggested that they would welcome more frequent engagement from Estyn with schools and PRUs. This will help us to get to know schools better and to support them with their evaluation and improvement process.

Interim visits provide schools and PRUs with a regular touchpoint with inspectors, offering professional insights and reflections that can inform future improvements. This approach allows for a clearer picture of how schools are progressing between core inspections.

What are the benefits of interim visits?

Interim visits:

• support professional discussions about strengths and areas for development
• provide constructive feedback to help shape school improvement strategies
• help inform the focus of the next core inspection.

What do headteachers say about interim visits?

 Feedback from a primary headteacher who recently took part in an interim visit suggests that the process is different from a core inspection. They found the visit to be a positive and reflective experience, giving them a clearer understanding of their school’s progress and priorities.

For more information, including insights from school leaders, visit: