The Inspection of Education and Training (Wales) Regulations 2026
W.S.I. 2026/67 · Made 4 March 2026
EDUCATION, WALES
Made 4 March 2026
Coming into force 1 April 2026
The Welsh Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 57(4), 63(9)(b), 143(2) and 146(1)(a) and (2) of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022f1.
In accordance with section 57(5) of that Act, the Welsh Ministers have consulted the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales.
Annotations to the whole text
Footnotes
- f1
Contents
- 1Title, coming into force and interpretation
- 2Inspection intervals
- 3Inspection reports
- 4Revocations
- Signature
- Explanatory note
1Title, coming into force and interpretation
The title of these Regulations is the Inspection of Education and Training (Wales) Regulations 2026.
These Regulations come into force on 1 April 2026.
In these Regulations, “the 2022 Act” means the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022.
2Inspection intervals
In Table 1, Column 2 specifies, for the purposes of section 57(4)(a) of the 2022 Act, the interval at which inspections (except inspections under section 57(1)(d) of the 2022 Act) must be conducted in relation to the corresponding circumstance specified in Column 1.
Table 1
| Column 1 Circumstances | Column 2 Intervals at which inspections must be conducted |
|---|---|
| Where the education or training to be inspected has not been inspected under section 77 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000f1 or under section 57 of the 2022 Act. | Within the period of six years beginning with the date on which the duty of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales under those sections arose in respect of the education or training that is to be inspected. |
| Where there has been an inspection under section 77 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 but not within the period beginning with 1 September 2024 and ending with 31 March 2026. | At least once within the period beginning with 1 April 2026 and ending with 31 August 2030. |
| In all other cases (including where an inspection has been conducted as a result of either of the circumstances specified above). | At least once within the period of six years beginning with 1 September 2030 and at least once within every subsequent six-year period beginning at the end of the previous period. |
3Inspection reports
For the purposes of sections 57(4)(b) and 63(9)(b) of the 2022 Act—
a report under section 57(3) of the 2022 Act is to be made, and
a report under section 63(8) of the 2022 Act is to be published,
before the end of the period of 35 working daysf1 beginning with the working day after the day on which the inspection is completed.
4Revocations
The instruments listed in column (1) of Table 2 are revoked to the extent indicated in column (3) of Table 2.
Table 2
| (1) Statutory Instrument revoked | (2) Reference | (3) Extent of revocation |
|---|---|---|
| The Inspection of Education and Training (Wales) Regulations 2001f1 | S.I. 2001/2501 (W. 204) | The whole Regulations |
| The Inspection of Education and Training (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2004 | S.I. 2004/783 (W. 80) | The whole Regulations |
| The National Council for Education and Training for Wales (Transfer of Functions to the National Assembly for Wales and Abolition) Order 2005f2 | S.I. 2005/3238 (W. 243) | Paragraph 21 of Schedule 2 |
| The Education (Amendments Relating to the Intervals for the Inspection of Education and Training) (Wales) Regulations 2010f3 | S.I. 2010/1436 (W. 127) | Regulation 3 |
| The Education (Amendments Relating to the Inspection of Education and Training) (Wales) Regulations 2014f4 | S.I. 2014/1212 (W. 128) | Regulation 3 |
| The Education (Amendments Relating to the Intervals for Inspection of Education and Training) (Wales) Regulations 2016 | S.I. 2016/135 (W. 65) | Regulation 2 |
| The Education (Amendments Relating to the Intervals for Inspection of Education and Training) (Wales) Regulations 2020 | S.I. 2020/37 (W. 4) | Regulation 2 |
Signature
Vikki Howells
Minister for Further and Higher Education under authority of the Cabinet Secretary for Education, one of the Welsh Ministers
4 March 2026
Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations revoke and replace the Inspection of Education and Training (Wales) Regulations 2001, which were made under Part 4 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000.
Under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (“the 2022 Act”), His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales must carry out inspections in respect of specific education and training and may also carry out area inspections. These Regulations make provision about both forms of inspection.
Regulation 1 sets out the date on which these Regulations come into force and defines the 2022 Act.
Regulation 2 specifies the intervals at which inspections of specific education and training are required to be carried out.
Regulation 3 specifies the period within which inspection reports for both inspections of specific education and training and area inspections are required to be made and published respectively.
Regulation 4 revokes Regulations concerning the inspection of education and training made under the Learning and Skills Act 2000.
The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Tertiary Education Directorate, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.