Inspection guidance resources - Estyn

Inspection guidance resources


Close-up of hands typing on an Apple keyboard connected to an iMac, possibly engaged in a task involving computer work.
We have a range of inspection guidance resources, available to search and filter by sector or by type:

“How we inspect” and “What we inspect”

We publish “How we inspect” and “What we inspect” guidance handbooks for each sector in line with our current inspections arrangements.

These handbooks are a valuable resource for school leaders, teachers, and parents to gain insights into the rigorous standards and methodologies employed during educational inspections.

Below are a list of published guidance handbooks for all of the sectors we inspect:

Non-maintained nurseries


Maintained schools and PRUs handbooks


Independent schools


Independent specialist colleges


Local government education services


Youth work


Further education


Work-based learning


Adult learning in the community


Initial Teacher Education


Welsh for adults


Welsh language immersion arrangements in local authorities


Justice sector