Ready Already! (Schools and PRUs)
We recognise the pressures that an inspection can create, but we want to be clear that we don’t want providers to over-prepare for an inspection visit.
Every day in education is important. You’re ready already!
The most important thing for our inspection teams is observing what happens on the ground and talking to pupils, staff and leaders.
We don’t want inspection to be a burden but a positive experience that is a natural part of your normal improvement process.
On this page you can learn more about our approach and the truth behind common myths about inspection.
Case Study
This video features Estyn’s Inspector Richard Lloyd, with teaching staff from Alexandra Primary School in Wrexham – Lisa Roberts, Headteacher, Kelly Walker, Wellbeing Inclusion Lead, and Jane Roberts, Teaching Assistant.
Watch to hear an honest reflection on the School’s recent experiences of inspection.
Inspection myths – and the facts
- Myth 1: You have to prepare for inspection – False!
The facts: – We want to see what your school is like day in, day out. We want to highlight what you are doing well and explore areas that can be improved. We don’t want settings to change what they do just because we are visiting. - Myth 2: You need to create resources and policies especially for inspection – False!
The facts: We ask for very few documents ahead of inspection. You do not have to produce documentation especially for inspection week – and you don’t have to tidy up any documents. We know that documents in schools are working documents. - Myth 3: Teachers have to write lesson plans to give to inspectors – False!
The facts: We want to see your school as it actually is and our lesson observations focus primarily on the progress of learners, the quality of teaching and how well learners respond. We don’t require individual lesson plans. - Myth 4 – inspection is purely about judgements – False!
The facts: we want inspection to contribute to improving education. We have designed inspection with many opportunities for improvement focused discussions with providers. We will always concentrate on the quality of delivery and the impact on outcomes for learners. We’re here for the same reason you are – to help learners get the best out of their time in school.
Mythbusting and your questions answered
Watch our HMI discuss the common myths about inspection with school leaders and answer common questions about what inspection involves.
The truth
Our inspection teams will:
- Ask for very few documents ahead of inspection and will be clear what those are
- Ask that existing key documents such as whole-school policies, governing body minutes, records of departmental work and minutes of important meetings are made available
- Inspect all elements of a provider
- Ask that all communications sent by Estyn leading up to inspection is shared beyond SMT with every employee.
Our inspections teams do not:
- Have a preferred approach to lesson structure or delivery – we judge by impact
- Require teachers to write lesson plans to give to the inspectors
- Expect or want providers to produce any documentation solely for the purpose of inspection
- Keep their findings to themselves. They will share them with senior leaders and the nominee during the inspection and at the inspection feedback meeting.
We want you to know that:
- Our inspection teams are trained to ask the right questions, understand each provider’s situation, and then offer an insight based on a fair, transparent and robust evaluation
- Our lesson observations focus primarily on the quality of learning and how well learners respond to the learning experiences
- We understand that many key documents are working documents and we do not expect or want schools to redraft/update/tidy-up documents just for inspection
- School improvement services do not need to undertake mock inspections or reviews prior to an Estyn visit.
Useful links
Learn more about how our Inspection Approach Continues to Evolve and our consultations with providers: Inspecting for the future (2024–2030)
Learn more about how inspections are carried out: Inspection explained
Find out more about our Inspector roles here: Inspector roles
Download the Ready Already campaign assets to help manage the expectations of your own colleagues: Download campaign assets
Spread the word – you’re Ready Already!
Resources
Pecyn Cymorth Cyfathrebu | Stakeholder Toolkit (22996)