Education inspector Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As an education inspector, you would work in a team under a lead inspector. Your work would include:

• preparing for inspections by reading pre-inspection briefings
• observing teaching sessions
• talking to teachers and students
• recording your observations
• contributing information and evidence to team meetings
• producing detailed written reports
• giving feedback to the school, college or other education provider.

In England, Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) is responsible for inspecting education services. You could be employed directly by Ofsted as Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), or work as an additional inspector on contract to Ofsted for one of the regional inspection service providers.

In Wales you would be employed by Estyn.

Hours

Your working hours would vary, especially during inspections.

You would usually be based at home, but would travel to inspect education and training services.

Income

HMIs earn from around £48,500 to around £61,000 a year.

Additional inspectors often receive a daily fee.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To be employed as an education inspector, you would need to have:

• a degree in a subject related to education, or an equivalent professional qualification
• at least five years' recent experience of working in education
• three years' recent relevant management experience, for example as a head teacher, deputy head or head of department
• up-to-date knowledge of the curriculum and of recent developments and statutory requirements in education.

You will also need to have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. See the CRB website for more information.

• Criminal Records Bureau

Your work would involve travelling between schools, colleges and other education and training providers, so you would need a driving licence and access to transport.

See the Ofsted website for more details of requirements for this job, and the Estyn website for details of requirements in Wales.

• Ofsted
• Estyn

Training and development

When you start working as an inspector you will receive induction training, which includes attending training days, taking part in training inspections, and a programme of meetings and support from a mentor.

You will then be expected to attend regular professional development training days, seminars and conferences, and to keep up to date with educational matters.

Skills and knowledge

To be an education inspector, you will need to have:

• observation and interviewing skills
• the ability to gather, analyse and interpret evidence
• the ability to make objective judgements
• teamwork skills
• organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines
• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• the ability to give feedback and advice in a sensitive way
• IT skills.

More information

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Skills)
Royal Exchange Buildings
St Ann's Square
Manchester
M2 7LA
Tel: 0845 640 4045
www.ofsted.gov.uk

Estyn
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Tel: 029 2044 6446
www.estyn.gov.uk

Opportunities

As an HMI, you would be recruited and trained by Ofsted. Vacancies are advertised on the Ofsted website and in the Times Educational Supplement.

• Ofsted

With experience as an HMI, you could progress to assistant divisional manager or divisional manager. As an additional inspector, you may be able to become an HMI.