In 2023, we launched a new development programme to reduce the barriers facing education workers from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.

After successfully recruiting three cohorts of fantastic leaders, we are now opening up our next cycle.

Recruitment for our Ethnic Minority Leaders programme is now live and is open to those working in the primary sector looking to take the next steps in their careers. The programme also aims to boost the experiences and careers of those involved and increase diversity in education leadership.

Owen Evans, HMCI said:

“This programme is an important part of the work we are doing to increase representation across all levels of leadership and the pool of inspectors that we work with so that the education workforce reflects the diversity of Wales.”

Applications for the programme are currently open. Candidates must be currently working in a primary setting  in Wales, have at least five years’ teaching experience and be responsible for developing learning, teaching or wellbeing.

Closing date is midday on Thursday 2 July 2026.

Join us for our Estyn Live webinar at 4:00pm on 25 June 2026 for a review of the apprenticeship inspection cycle.

Middle leaders play a crucial role in shaping the learning experiences of children and young people across Wales. Their work sits at the heart of teaching quality, curriculum development and learner progress. 

Estyn Essentials is a new campaign which has been developed to support middle leaders, teachers, and support staff by providing clear, accessible insight into Estyn’s work — and how it can be used to strengthen practice in schools and PRUs. 

Understanding inspection in practice 

Inspection can sometimes feel daunting, particularly for middle leaders balancing leadership responsibilities alongside day-to-day teaching. Estyn Essentials aims to demystify the inspection process by explaining what inspection really looks like in practice, what inspectors focus on, and how inspection conversations are conducted. 

Inspection is evidence-based, professional and focused on improvement. Inspectors are keen to understand the work that middle leaders do, including how they evaluate their provision, support staff, and improve outcomes for learners. 

Middle leaders at the centre 

Middle leaders’ knowledge of their subject, phase or area of responsibility is vital during inspection. Estyn Essentials highlights the important role middle leaders play and what effective leadership looks like across different contexts. 

By sharing clear guidance and examples, Estyn Essentials supports middle leaders to articulate their impact confidently and use self-evaluation as a meaningful tool for improvement. 

Using Estyn resources to strengthen practice 

Estyn Essentials shows how middle leaders can use inspection feedback, thematic reports, guidance and a whole range of Estyn’s resources to inform planning, professional learning and subject development. 

Drawing on national evidence can help educators reflect on their own practice, identify strengths, and plan next steps with purpose. 

Learning together 

Estyn Essentials shares honest reflections from schools and PRUs across Wales, highlighting common challenges and effective approaches. Learning from others helps strengthen the education system as a whole and supports continuous improvement for learners. 

Through Estyn Essentials, we aim to provide middle leaders with practical tools, reassurance and insight — supporting confident leadership and meaningful improvement across all phases. 

You can find out more here: 

Estyn essentials: A Teachers’ toolkit for schools and PRUs

Estyn will be exhibiting at the National Education Show in Llandudno on Friday 12 June, providing an opportunity for education professionals to learn more about the breadth of our work and the support available to providers across Wales.

Visitors can find the Estyn team at Stand 60, where colleagues will be available throughout the day to discuss our current approach to inspection and interim visits, our enhanced focus on reading, and the wide range of improvement resources available to support middle leaders and practitioners.

As part of the event, Estyn will deliver a 50-minute seminar about our work,  and highlighting how our inspection activity and resources can support improvement across the education sector.

His Majesty’s Inspector Tristan Roberts is one of a team of inspectors who will be representing Estyn on the day. He said:

“This event will provide a valuable opportunity for Estyn to hear directly from providers about their understanding of our work, how they engage with us, and how useful they find our resources in supporting their practice.

“We look forward to meeting delegates at the show and continuing conversations about supporting improvement and learner outcomes across Wales.”

Throughout the 2026/27 academic year, we will be hosting monthly Estyn lives – sharing information on a range of key topics and inviting stakeholders to join our discussion with providers as they focus on successes and challenges.

Please sign up if you’d like to be alerted when registration opens: Register for updates – Estyn

• Estyn headlines for Special schools & PRUs – September (Monday 14)
• Estyn headlines for Secondary & All-age schools – September (Tuesday 15)
• Estyn headlines for Primary schools – September (Wednesday 16)
• Thematic focus: Healthy relationships in schools – October (Thursday 15)
• Thematic focus: Post 16 attendance participation – November (Thursday 26)
• Thematic focus: Science and Technology – December (Thursday 10)
• Reading Focus: Embedding reading as a priority for secondary teachers – January (Thursday 21)
• The HMCI’s annual report: key takeaway – February (Thursday 4)
• Thematic focus: Development of learners’ digital skills and competencies – March (Thursday 18)
• Thematic focus: Supporting ALN in early years education – April (Thursday 29)
• Thematic focus: Anti-racism in schools and PRUs – May (Thursday 27)
• How schools are working to reduce the impact of poverty on attainment and well-being with a focus on the impact of curriculum and teaching – June (Thursday 24)
• Thematic focus: AOLE review: Health & Well-being – July (Thursday 8)
   

Estyn joined education partners from across Wales at this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey for a panel discussion focusing on reading and literacy.

Hosted on Dysgu’s stand on the Maes, the Q&A session brought together representatives from across the education sector to discuss the importance of reading and collaborative approaches to supporting literacy across Wales.

The panel included:

• Owen Evans, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Estyn
• Meurig Jones, Director of Professional Learning, Dysgu
• Huw Davies, Principal, Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni
• Bethan Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion, Welsh Book Council
• Lleucu Siencyn, Director of Strategy and Delivery, Adnodd

The discussion was facilitated by Dyfed Williams, Dysgu’s Leader of Cymraeg, Craidd.

The session provided an opportunity to highlight Estyn’s focus on reading over the coming years and to showcase the collaboration taking place between national organisations, schools and the wider education sector to support learners’ reading skills and enjoyment of reading.

HMCI Owen Evans said: “Reading is a lifelong skill that opens doors to future opportunities and through our enhanced focus on reading, we aim to better support learners to make progress across all areas of the curriculum and have better life chances.

“It was helpful to reflect on how we can collectively encourage a positive culture of reading, and drive standards through professional learning and effective teaching and evaluation.”

Join us for our Estyn Live webinar at 4:00pm on 21 May 2026 for a discussion around improving attendance in secondary schools.

Estyn will host an international workshop in Cardiff this week, bringing together education inspectorates from across Europe and beyond to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.
 
The SICI Cymru Workshop 2026, Navigating the AI Journey, will take place from 22 to 24 April in Cardiff Bay. Organised in partnership with the Standing International Conference of Inspectorates (SICI), the event will welcome delegates from twenty five different countries to share expertise and strengthen international collaboration.
 
The workshop will focus on the outcomes of a joint project between inspectorates in Wales, Norway and Scotland, examining how AI can support inspection work. Through a combination of keynote presentations, practical sessions and collaborative workshops, delegates will explore how emerging technologies can be used responsibly and effectively within education systems.
 
The main conference will be held at Techniquest in Cardiff Bay, providing a dynamic setting for discussions on technological innovation. A keynote speech will be delivered by Dr Madiha Khan, an AI researcher and data scientist, who will explore the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for education.
 
The event also offers an opportunity to showcase Wales and its culture. Delegates will take part in a guided tour of Cardiff Bay and attend a gala dinner at the historic Coal Exchange, featuring performances by young people involved in the Urdd Eisteddfod, celebrating Welsh language and culture.
 
By hosting this international workshop, Estyn is contributing to global conversations about the future of education and inspection. The event reflects Estyn’s commitment to exploring how AI can enhance its work, improve efficiency and support better outcomes for learners in Wales.