How we inspect – independent specialist colleges

This handbook sets out our approach to inspecting independent specialist colleges. These are the providers registered as independent special post-16 institutions with Welsh Government. It explains how we inspect. The guidance is essential reading for reporting inspectors and all other members of the inspection team. It may also be useful for providers to support their understanding of the inspection mind-set and methodologies.

The guidance should be read alongside ‘What we inspect’ guidance in independent specialist colleges, which outlines the inspection framework. Providers can use this guidance to see how inspections work and to help them in strengthening their own self-evaluation and improvement processes.

Where the inspection identifies practice worth sharing, inspectors will include a spotlight on this practice as part of the inspection report. Where the inspection identifies important concerns in relation to learning and teaching, well-being, support and guidance and leading and improving, we will arrange follow-up activity to support improvement. Guidance on follow up activity is available on p 17 of this handbook.