School inspection training: Reviewer Competency Quality Mark (RCQM)
Supporting educators to grow their skills in inspection and evaluation
What is the Reviewer Competency Quality Mark?
As a school leader or other education professional, the Reviewer Competency Quality Mark (RCQM) is training that develops or deepens your expertise in school inspection and evaluation. When you take an RCQM course, you are aligning your skills with international inspection standards, found in leading systems such as Ofsted in England.
RCQM is awarded at three levels:
- Level 1 – Inspect in your own school
- Level 2: Peer Reviewer – Inspect other schools
- Level 3: Lead Inspector – Lead a team of inspectors
The four pillars of EDT's inspection training
Knowledge
Develop a deep understanding of inspection frameworks, evidence collection, and evaluation.
Conduct
Hone your professional behaviour, sensitivity, and ethical practice throughout the process.
Professional skills
Learn how to observe, interview, analyse data, and write reports to a high standard.
Judgement
Build the ability to synthesise evidence into fair, defensible inspection grades and findings.
Why choose our Reviewer Competency Quality Mark?
More than a training course
Unlike attendance-based certifications, RCQM requires assessed practice: real inspection activity, portfolio evidence, and demonstrated competence.
Strengthen school quality between inspections
The skills you build aren’t just for external inspection. RCQM equips you to lead rigorous evaluation in your own school and apply learnings immediately.
International credibility
Your accreditation carries real weight. RCQM is benchmarked against international inspection quality standards, such as those applied by Ofsted in England, and ONESQA in Thailand.
Designed for busy leaders
RCQM courses typically take place over three days, with short and focused training that leads to clear outcomes and immediate impact.
Powered by expertise, built over decades
We have 60+ years of experience partnering with governments and schools. Take advantage of our proven inspection methodologies, high-quality lead trainers, and strong global track record in school inspections.
Choose your RCQM inspector training course
RCQM Level 1 Certification
This course provides a foundation in inspection methodology – from evidence gathering, to professional conduct and report writing. On completion, you’re equipped to carry out inspections and evaluations in your own school.
Course information:
- 3 days of virtual training via Microsoft Teams
- Sessions limited to 20 participants
- Certification achieved on completion of online training and submission of evidence portfolio
- Next cohort dates: 12th, 13th and 15th October 2026 (online)
- No previous inspection training needed
RCQM Peer Reviewer Certification
This course uses your foundational training and applies it in shadowed and assessed inspections in live contexts. This demonstrates real competence in the field, and opens the door to joining edt’s own global team of peer inspectors.
Course information:
- Completion of RCQM Level 1 or equivalent is required
- In-person training over 3 days
- Location: Bahrain or Dubai
- Certification achieved on successful completion of an edt-mentored review in a school
- Next cohort dates:
- 3rd to 5th November 2026 (Dubai)
- 17th to 19th November 2026 (Bahrain)
RCQM Accelerator package
Ideal for educators who wish to accelerate their learning, quickly gaining the skills needed to conduct inspections both within their own setting, and others.
Package includes:
- RCQM Level 1 Certification
- RCQM Peer Reviewer Certification
- Access to a discounted rate
- Priority spaces if a session is limited
Frequently asked questions
Why should I choose EDT for my inspector training?
EDT offers:
- proven inspection methodologies applying both theory and practice
- high-quality, experienced lead trainers
- a strong global track record in inspection worldwide.
What will I learn during the training?
During the programme, you will:
- understand the school inspection process
- learn how to collect and analyse evidence
- use evidence to form inspection judgements
- develop skills to report and provide feedback effectively and sensitively.
Can I progress to a lead inspector role?
Yes, progression to a lead inspector role can be discussed with EDT based on experience and performance.
Express your interest
To register your interest in joining one of our upcoming RCQM courses, please complete our registration form.
What is the Reviewer Competency Quality Mark?
The Reviewer Competency Quality Mark (RCQM) is an internationally recognised training and certification programme for school reviewers and inspectors. RCQM helps regulators build the skills, knowledge and professional standards needed for high-quality inspection and school evaluation. It is built on a competency framework based on international inspection standards, aligned with leading systems such as Ofsted in England.
RCQM is awarded at three levels:
- Level 1 – Inspect own school
- Level 2: Peer Reviewer – Inspect other schools
- Level 3: Lead Inspector – Lead a team of inspectors
The four pillars of EDT's inspection training
Knowledge
Develop a deep understanding of inspection frameworks, evidence collection, and evaluation.
Conduct
Hone your professional behaviour, sensitivity, and ethical practice throughout the process.
Professional skills
Learn how to observe, interview, analyse data, and write reports to a high standard.
Judgement
Build the ability to synthesise evidence into fair, defensible inspection grades and findings.
Why do regulators choose the Reviewer Competency Quality Mark?
Build a stronger inspection workforce
Develop a pipeline of trained reviewers and inspectors with the skills needed to evaluate schools confidently, consistently and fairly.
Improve consistency and quality
Equip reviewers with a common framework, language and approach, helping to improve the reliability of inspection findings across schools.
More than a training course
Unlike attendance-based certifications, RCQM requires assessed practice: real inspection activity, portfolio evidence, and demonstrated competence.
International credibility
RCQM is benchmarked against international inspection quality standards, such as those applied by Ofsted in England, and ONESQA in Thailand.
Flexible and scalable
RCQM can support the development of both new and experienced reviewers, helping regulators strengthen inspection capacity as systems grow and evolve.
Strong global track record in school inspections
EDT offers proven inspection methodologies, high-quality lead trainers, and long experience in inspecting schools around the world.