Spring 2025, v3.2

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Appointment and Management of Inspectors Handbook

Paragraph 46 – footnote added to cover the instance where a school at which aninspector is discovered to be non-compliant at a point other than at the timeof inspection.

·      Appendix1: Person Specification updated to make it consistent with the revisedtext of the Eligibility Criteria.

·      Footnote2 of Appendix 1 corrected to refer to the correct numbering of theappendices for the definition of Practising Catholic.

·      Footnotes7 and 8 of Appendix 1 updated to accurately reflect the updated Memorandumon Appointment of Staff in Catholic Schools published in September 2024

·      Appendix2: Eligibility Criteria updated to accurately reflect the language ofthe Memorandum on Appointment of Staff in Catholic Schools, as updatedin September 2024

·      Footnotes10, 16, and 17 of Appendix 2 updated to make them consistent with theother amendments.

·      AllTemplates updated to match the revised text of the handbook

Inspection handbook

·      Paragraph 6 updated to reflect the changeto the way Ofsted recognises the limitations of Ofsted inspectors in schoolswith a religious character (the historical protocol that formerly dealt withthis has been superseded).

·      Paragraph 15, updated to make clear thatinspection teams going into RO schools should contain a member of the team whohas had experience of working in a RO school

·      Paragraph 17 updated to clarify theexpectations around the use of video conferencing software for the longerconversation between the lead inspector and the headteacher.

·      Paragraph 19, footnote added to clarifythe role of inspectors in relation to establishing compliance in relation todiocesan directives.

·      Paragraph 37, footnote added to clarifythe role of inspectors in relation to establishing compliance in relation todiocesan directives.

·      Paragraph 57, footnote added to clarifythe role of inspectors in relation to establishing compliance in relation todiocesan directives.

·      Paragraph 79 updated to cover the newapproach to the Post-Inspection Evaluation for Schools (PIE-S) and Inspectors(PIE-I).

·      Paragraph 82 updated to clarify the meansby which compliance with diocesan directives is determined.

·      CLM2 Grade descriptors updated for thebullet on R(S)HE to remove reference to statutory compliance (something thatCSI inspectors will not inspect).

·      Paragraph 165 updated to correct thetimeline for the establishment of the Gaudete Trust and to clarify its statusas a public juridical person.

·      Paragraph 166 updated to clarify the roleof the Religious Order in relation to its schools, and which functions properlybelong to them.

·      Paragraph 167 updated to include adefinition of ‘charism’ and ‘Associate Schools’ (schools no longer under ROtrusteeship but which are still animated by an RO charism)

·      Paragraph 172 updated to clarify theresponsibility of the diocese to establish who the contact is for each of theReligious Orders with schools in their diocese.

·      Paragraph 173 amended to make clear thatthe draft inspection report must be shared with the superior of the ReligiousOrder or their nominee.

·      Paragraph 174 modified to clarify theplace of the visitation report as part of an inspection evidence base.

·      Paragraph 175 updated to make clear thatthe CSED is optional, not a requirement.

·      Paragraph 176 and 177 added, to clarifythe importance of including RO trustees in the discussions around governanceand the responsibilities of dioceses and Religious Orders in relation topost-inspection support for schools. All subsequent paragraphs renumbered.

·      Appendix 2: Protocols for Ofsted Inspectionsof Catholic schools and sixth form colleges in England removed.Appendix 1.2 Mutual Relations between Religious Orders, Dioceses and the CESin the Service of Catholic Education, renumbered as Appendix 2.

·      Appendix 6.2 updated to reflect new protocolfor deferrals in the cases where CSI and Ofsted inspections coincide.

·      Appendix 6.3: Protocol for when Ofsted andsection 48 inspections are scheduled to occur concurrently added

·      Appendix 7: What compliance with the CatholicBishops’ Conference of England and Wales requires in relation to religiouseducation updated to make the language consistent with the RED. Renumberedto Appendix 7.1

·      Appendix 7.2 Checking compliance with theformally promulgated directives (‘additional requirements’) of a diocesanbishop added to clarify the role of inspectors in checking thecompliance of a school against diocesan requirements.

·      Added Template 02.3 Diocesan directives –details for inspectors

·      Added Template 03.2 Checklist forinspecting Religious Order schools

·      Added Template 03.3 Notification to the Superior for aschool in Religious Order trusteeship

·      Renumbered Template 05.2 to Template 05.3– Establishing lines of enquiry

·      Added new Template 05.2 Diocesancompliance – self-evaluation supplement

·      Template14.1 updated to reflect the new layout and approach for the Post-Inspection Evaluation for Schools (PIE-S)

·      Template14.2 added as a common Post-Inspection Evaluation for Inspectors(PIE-I), old Template 14.2 renumbered as 14.3

·      Template14.3 renumbered and updated to cover the issuing of both kinds ofelectronic post inspection evaluation (PIE-S and PIE-I)

Comparative Grade Descriptors

·      CLM 2.9 updated to remove reference tostatutory requirements to make it consistent with the updated inspectionhandbook.

Admin guidance

·      Paragraph 4 added to make sure diocesesknow which schools are in Religious Order trusteeship at the point ofinspection scheduling. All subsequent paragraphs renumbered.

·      Paragraph 19 added to make clear thatinspection teams going into RO schools should contain a member of the team whohas had experience of working in a RO school.

·      Paragraph 32 updated to include thenecessity to inform the RO superior or their nominee at the point the school isnotified of its inspection.

·      Paragraph 43 updated to include thenecessity to send the draft report to the RO superior or their nominee

·      Paragraph 46 updated to include thenecessity to send the final report to the RO superior or their nominee

·      Paragraph 52 updated to reflect the newapproach to post-inspection evaluation for schools (PIE-S).

·      Paragraph 53 added to include thepost-inspection evaluation processes for inspectors (PIE-I).

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September 2024,v3.1 Change log

Handbook 2

Appendix 11.1updated to reflect the new definition of safeguarding numbered included in theupdate of Keeping children safe in education, published on 3 September2024.

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September 2024,v3.0 Change log

Handbook 1

·      Name changed to ‘Appointment andManagement of Inspectors

·      Paragraph 5 updated to reflect the newname and structure of the handbook

·      Paragraph 8 added to indicate what thesecond section of the handbook will now cover. All subsequent paragraphsrenumbered.

·      Paragraph 9, stage 6 updated to removethe reference to September 2023. Paragraph now reads:

All newly licensed inspectorsmust successfully complete at least one shadow inspection before beingcommissioned as an inspector.

·      Paragraph 16 updated to include referenceto CEO as well as chair of directors as an appropriate referee for a servinghead teacher.

·      Paragraph 37 updated to make clear whatinspectors who are shadowing inspections should and should not do duringinspection:

An inspector who is shadowingshould be included in the team from the beginning by:

·      Taking part in a wide variety of inspectionactivities, for example, accompanying a member of the team, including meetingswith the head and leadership team, governors, pupils.

·      Being present for team discussions, including askingquestions for clarification.

·      Completing practice evidence forms.

An inspector who is shadowingmust not:

·      Undertake inspection activities alone.

·      Be part of the decision-making process, althoughthey would be there to observe it.

·      Submit their evidence forms as part of theevidence base, although these should be part of the QA of evidence formsprocess during the inspection so that the new inspectors can improve in writingevaluative evidence forms.

·      Part Two of handbook added to cover theongoing management of inspectors.

·      Paragraph43 added to make clear the requirement to remind inspectors to submittheir Inspector Annual Confirmation Form.

·      Paragraph 45 and 46 added to clarify whatis required for ongoing eligibility.

·      Paragraph 46 added to cover legitimateleaves of absence.

·      Template 3: Application Form updated toinclude the following questions:

Have youapplied to any other dioceses to sponsor you to inspect?

To which otherdioceses have you applied to sponsor you to inspect?

·      Paragraphs47-55 added on tacklingunderperformance of inspectors. Moved from the QA handbook

Handbook 2

·      Paragraph8 updated to clarify confidentialityrequirements

·      Paragraph11 updated to ensure consistencywith the Admin Guidance document in relation to confidentiality around thescheduling of inspections.

·      Paragraph12 updated changing ‘last workingweek’ to ‘last full working week’. Inspections are not to be scheduled in thelast full working week of a school term.

·      Paragraph14 updated to make it consistentwith eligibility criteria.

·      Paragraph15 updated. To include thefollowing: ‘In a small school, at least one of the inspectors should have hadexperience of working in a school with mixed age classes.’

·      Paragraph17 on notification to the school updatedto make it consistent with the admin guidance. It makes explicit theacceptability of a video call as well as a phonecall. Added deadline for self-evaluation form submission.

·      Paragrpah18 updated to make responsibilitiesof lead and team inspectors clearer

·      Paragraph19, updated to include clarificationabout which pre-inspection information is needed, including reference to therequirement on diocese to share compliance status of the school with theinspection team and reference to social media added.

·      Paragraph22 updated to stress the importanceof good pre-inspection records in the event of unexpected inspector absence.

·      Paragraph24 updated to include reference toKITs and HUMs and to include reference to paragraph 58, that qualifies theusual expectation that discussion with pupils will not include other adults.

·      Paragraph27 updated and expanded to includethe role of inspectors who are shadowing and the inspection team prayer.

·      Paragraph28 updated with a reference to KITmeetings added and the function ofEFs at these meetings.

·      Paragraph36 updated to include reference tothe new EF QA Checklist for Lead Inspectors and ‘should’ changed to ‘must’

·      Paragraph37 updated to include reference tothe inspectors’ role in relation to a school’s compliance with diocesanrequirements.

·      Paragraph38 footnote added to clarifytimescales for RED implementation in primary and secondary schools. Sentencewhich repeats reference to diocesan requirements removed.

·      Paragraph53 updated to clarify thedistinction between headteacher update meetings and headteacher discussions asevidence-gathering activities.

·      Paragraph62 added in relation to discussionswith staff:

As well as feedback andconversations following observations, it may be that lines of enquiry promptthe need for formal discussions with other members of staff or particulargroups of staff (e.g. early career teachers, those new to the school). Trust employeeswho have a role in the day-to-day operational life of the school, even if theyhave responsibilities at other schools, should be treated as members of stafffor the purpose of inspection. Other trust employees whose role is strategicand not school based (e.g. CEOs) would only be included in the strategicgovernance level of evidence gathering.

Allsubsequent paragraphs renumbered

·      Paragraph63 (62) updated to use the languageof ‘headteacher update meetings’ and sentences reordered to improve clarity.‘Should’ changed to ‘must’ in reference to checking that the school is happywith the conduct of the inspection.

·      Paragraph64 (63) updated to remove referenceto ‘a draft report’ which should not have been written at this point in theprocess

·      Paragraph66 (67) updated to place feedback oncompliance at the beginning of final feedback on inspection outcomes.

·      Paragraph70 (69) updated to improve namingconventions of files and to clarify date forms at the top of reports.

·      Paragraph72 (71) updated to make itconsistent with the Admin guidance in relation to timescales for QAing thereport.

·      Paragraph75 (74) updated to include theimportance of discretely referencing nurseries and sixth forms for schools thathave them.

·      Paragraph82 (81) updated to make thecompliance requirements clearer, especially in relation to responding to areasfor improvement. Footnote added tomake language around requirements and directives consistent in all handbooks.

·      Paragraph86 (85) updated. Language changedfrom ‘curriculum requirements’ to ‘general norms for religious education’ inthe first compliance test. Footnote 8 updatedto refer to the correct edition of the directory. Footnote 9 updated to point towards the move toformally promulgated directives in due course.

·      Paragraph117 (116), first bullet of grade 3 descriptor for pupil response updated to more accurately reflect thelanguage of the PLD: ‘participate’ changed to ‘respond’.

·      Paragraph121 (120), fifth bullet of grade 1 descriptor for provision updated to more accurately reflect thelanguage of the PLD: ‘participating’ changed to ‘engaging’.

·      Paragraph121 (120), fifth bullet of grade 2 descriptor for provision updated to more accurately reflect thelanguage of the PLD: ‘participating’ changed to ‘engaging’.

·      Paragraph121 (120), fifth bullet of grade 3 descriptor for provision updated to more accurately reflect thelanguage of the PLD: ‘participating’ changed to ‘engaging’.

·      Paragraph121 (120), fifth bullet of grade 4 descriptor for provision updated to more accurately reflect thelanguage of the PLD: ‘participate’ changed to ‘engage’.

·      Paragraph165 (164) updated to correct factualinaccuracies around the establishment of the Gaudete Trust.

·      Appendix10, paragraph 42, updated to givemore nuanced guidance on the use of children/pupils/learners. Glossary updated to make it consistent with themore nuanced guide.

·      Appendix10 updated to refer to ‘headteacher’not ‘head teacher’ and ‘head teacher’ updatedto ‘headteacher’ in all handbooks.

·      Template03 Pre-inspection checklist updatedto clarify expectations around the length of inspection days, includingreference to greater flexibility for the inspection of small schools. Row added to make reference to compliance,and the responsibility for determining it, clearer. Deadline for documentsubmission added.

·      Template07.4 added: EF QA checklist for leadinspectors.

·      Template09.1 added: End of Day 1 headteacherupdate meeting feedback. Template 09 name updatedto Template 09.2

·      Template09.2 (09) updated to placecompliance at the beginning of the feedback on judgements.

2.1 CSI Comparative grade descriptors

·      CW1.1updated to match handbook: ‘participate’ changed to ‘respond’

·      CW2.5updated to match handbook: ‘participate/ing’ changed to ‘engage/ing’

3. QA handbook

·      Paragraph14 added to make clear the proportion of inspections that are subject to a QAvisit. All subsequent paragraphs renumbered.

·      Paragraph32 (31) updated to make it consistent with the Admin guidance document inrelation to QA readers.

·      Paragraphs35-43 moved to handbook 1.

Admin guidance

·      Paragraph6 updated, changing ‘last working week’ to ‘last full working week’.Inspections are not to be scheduled in the last full working week of a schoolterm.

·      Paragraph19 added: ‘In a small school, at least one of the inspectors should have hadexperience of working in a school with mixed age classes.’ All subsequentparagraphs renumbered.

·      Paragraph26 updated to make it consistent with confidentiality policies elsewhere in thehandbooks.

·      Paragraph29 updated to make language around directives consistent in all handbooks.

·      Paragraph50 added in reference to PIS for school to make it consistent with theinspection handbook. Checklist updated to reflect this and all subsequentparagraphs renumbered.

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