Section 24 Power of Chief Inspector to arrange for inspections

(1)

The Chief Inspector may cause any school in Wales to be inspected by one or more of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Education and Training in Wales (in this section referred to as “Inspectors”).

(2)

Where an inspection of a school in Wales is being conducted by a registered inspector under section 28, the Chief Inspector may arrange for that inspection to be monitored by one or more Inspectors.

(3)

An Inspector inspecting a school, or monitoring an inspection, under this section has at all reasonable times—

(a)

a right of entry to the premises of the school,

(b)

a right of entry to any other premises on which, by virtue of arrangements made by the school, any pupils who—

(i)

are registered at the school, and

(ii)

have attained the age of 15, or will attain that age in the current school year, but have not ceased to be of compulsory school age,

are receiving part of their education from any person (“the provider”),

(c)

a right of entry to any premises of the provider used in connection with the provision by him of that education,

(d)

a right to inspect, and take copies of, any records kept by the school, and any other documents containing information relating to the school, which he considers relevant to the discharge of his functions, and

(e)

a right to inspect and take copies of—

(i)

any records kept by the provider relating to the provision of education for pupils registered at the school, and

(ii)

any other documents containing information relating to the provision of such education by the provider,

which the Inspector considers relevant to the discharge of his functions.

(4)

It is an offence intentionally to obstruct any Inspector in the exercise of any of his functions under this section.

(5)

A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(6)

An inspection of a school conducted under subsection (1) may not extend to any education of a kind F1to which the functions of the Chief Inspector under Part 2 of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 apply that is provided by the school.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 24(6) substituted (1.4.2026) by Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (asc 1), s. 148(2), Sch. 4 para. 18(3) (with s. 19); W.S.I. 2026/62, art. 2(ww)(xxxii)

Notes on Part 1

Modifications

C1: Pt. 1 applied in part (with modifications) (1.2.2008) by Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments)(England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2979), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 para. 21
C2: Pt. 1 applied (1.4.2010) by Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (c. 22), ss. 137(3), 269(4); S.I. 2010/1151, art. 2, Sch. 1 (with arts. 5-20)
C3: Pt. 1 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (1.2.2008) by The Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2979), reg. 1(1), reg. 3, Sch. 1 para. 21
C4: Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (W.) (23.4.2007) by The Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments) (Wales) Regulations 2007(S.I. 2007/1069), reg. 3, {Sch. 1 para. 11}
C5: Pt. 1 applied (with modifications) (E.) (1.9.2005) by The Education (Pupil Referral Units) (Application of Enactments) (England) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2039), reg. 3, Sch. 1 para. 11