Research 30/05/2022

School inspection: recent experiences in high performing education systems

By Karen Whitby

Download in Arabic

Download now

This report focuses on inspection practices in a range of countries with developed education systems, including in particular: England, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore and the Netherlands.

With school decentralisation becoming increasingly widespread internationally, especially as regards staff and resource management or even educational practice in general, school inspection systems are assuming key importance in ensuring quality provision for all. ‘Around the world school inspection is subject to critical scrutiny’ (MacBeath, 2000, preface), however there has been little rigorous research on the impact of inspection (Byatt & Lyons, 2001, cited in Martin, 2005, p500), and ‘no analysis to determine which… styles [of inspection] are the most appropriate’ (Vass and Simmonds, 2001, p16). This report attempts to summarise the existing literature in the field by looking at why education is inspected, whether inspection systems should be self- or externally regulated (or a mixture of the two), who and what is inspected, and the stakeholders in the processes and the products of inspection.

The report is based on the findings of a systematic, thematic comparison of inspection systems, based primarily on the six countries identified above, but also drawing on other international examples as appropriate. Literature, dating from 2000 onwards, that was sought related to compulsory education (that is, early years, post-16 and Higher Education were not included). The focus was on literature and documentation relevant to school inspection in mainstream schools. Only literature written in English was obtained and relevant websites and publication lists were also searched. In total more than 40 documents were read and systematically reviewed.

Downloads

School inspection: recent experiences in high performing education systems

Download now

School inspection: recent experiences in high performing education systems (Arabic)

Download in Arabic

Related Content

International School Visit External News Listing

Article

The Rt Hon Nick Gibb praises 'The International School @ ParkCity' in Kuala Lumpur for ISQM gold-rated standards following visit alongside EDT

On Tuesday 1st October, EDT was proud to join England’s former schools minister the Rt Hon Nick Gibb for a visit to ‘The International School @ ParkCity’, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which displayed impressive quality standards in teaching and learning. The school has been accredited with our International Schools Quality Mark (ISQM) for seven years.

Insights

Accountability mechanisms and the improvement of private schools in Dubai

EDT has been the strategic partner of the Dubai government’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) since 2006, providing support relating to the improvement of private schools through inspection. In this insight piece, our Education Director, Tony McAleavy, analyses the extent to which the KHDA inspection system has contributed to the measurable improvement in learning outcomes in Dubai private schools.

Insights

Accountability mechanisms and the improvement of private schools in Dubai

Cambodia Girls Education Listing (960 X 540 Px) (1)

Research

Examining improvements to girls’ education in Cambodia through a gender-responsive lens

The Cambodian government has been successful in raising girls’ enrolment and academic achievement in recent years, with girls’ enrolment reaching 100% in 2021 and girls outperforming boys in reading, writing and mathematics at Grade 5 level. While this is hugely encouraging for girls’ education in the country, these statistics alone do not help us to understand the extent to which gender imbalances are being addressed and improved within the classroom.