Regulation and inspection by Estyn

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Produced in partnership with Michael Charles and Christopher McFarland of Sinclairs Law

Practice notes

Regulation and inspection by Estyn

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Michael Charles and Christopher McFarland of Sinclairs Law

Practice notes

Estyn is the school inspectorate for Wales, like its English equivalent Ofsted. See Practice Note: Ofsted, failing schools and intervention. It has the power to inspect schools and other educational establishments in Wales, as well as to offer training and best practice guidance to the educational sector.

Originally established under the Education (Schools) Act 1992, Estyn currently derives its powers from a number of statutes, including the Education Act 1997, Learning and Skills Act 2000, the Children Act 2004 and the Education Act 2005.

Estyn receives its funding from the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) under section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Duties of HM Chief Inspector for Wales

The HM Chief Inspector for Wales (HMCI), is responsible for the management, staffing and organisation of Estyn. They are also subject to a number of statutory duties which require them to keep the Senedd informed about:

•
the quality of the education provided by schools in Wales
•
how far that education meets the needs of the range of pupils at those schools

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Jurisdiction(s):

United Kingdom

Key definition:

Inspection definition

What does Inspection mean?

A party has the right to inspect, and to obtain a copy of, any disclosed document, subject to certain exceptions.

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