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Inspecting schools and other educational settings The national inspection agency was established under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 to take responsibility for the inspection of all schools in England, whether state or independent. Its role also includes the inspection of local education authorities, teacher training institutions and youth work. During 2001, the natonal inspection agency also became responsible for inspecting all 16-19 education and for the regulation of early years childcare, including childminders. Inspecting ITT Before the Teacher Training Agency (TTA, now TDA) was established, initial teacher training (ITT) providers were inspected by the national inspection agency, but judgements were revealed only to the provider in an unpublished report. From 1996/7, the national inspection agency provided independent evidence about quality to the Teacher Training Agency. Depending on the quality of their provision, providers were split into 3 categories, A, B and C. Those providers found not to comply with the TTA’s requirements for providers of ITT faced loss of accreditation unless they became compliant. Inspecting teachers’ CPD Over the last 10 years, there have also been moves to manage the quality and provision of teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD) more systematically to ensure that it offers value for money and has a positive impact on teaching, learning and school improvement more generally. [LINK TO SCREEN 40] The national inspection agency has a key role in this. For example, in 2002, inspectors visited a sample of schools to evaluate the management and effect of teachers’ continuing professional development activities on school improvement. The national inspection agency has also inspected and reported on other Government funded CPD initiatives, such as the TTA’s Postgraduate Professional Development Programme (PPD). In 2005, the TTA was succeeded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). Useful web links For more information about the national inspection agency, click here. For the latest version of the Requirements for providers of ITT, click here. To find out more about current arrangements for the inspection of ITT, click here. To read current information about the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), the successor to the TTA, click here. For more information on the TDA’s PPD, click here. |
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