Birmingham Diocesan Education Service
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Catholic Schools Inspection

National Framework

Since September 2022, all denominational inspections within the Archdiocese of Birmingham have been undertaken by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate. 
Inspection Framework (v3.2, January 2025)
January 2025 Change Log
Grade Descriptors (comparative)(v3.2, January 2025)
Catholic Self-Evaluation Document (CSED)
This document requires school leaders to identify 'strengths' and 'what could be improved' for the three key areas. There is no requirement or expectation for school leaders write to each individual bullet point of the framework.
Diocesan Directives
Self-evaluation against Diocesan Directives
CES Annual Self-Evaluation of the Governing Board

Optional tool, facilitating an evaluation of governance.

Optional form to signpost inspectors to evidence concerning compliance.
Stakeholder Surveys
Copy of the surveys issued to parents and pupils during inspection.
National Statistics (2024)
CSI Inspection Reports

Communications from CSI

A chronological list of update communications that have been issued by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate.

9/2024: Single-word judgements
1/2024: Response to Education Select Committee report
9/2023 Consultation Report (aggregate grade descriptors)

Compliance Checks

Compliance checks resumed in September 2023.

Compliance Checks, which are for schools graded Good or better, usually take place mid-way through the inspection cycle, i.e. by the end of the third academic year following inspection.

Their purpose is to confirm there is no issue of compliance that would limit the outcome of a school’s next Catholic Schools Inspectorate inspection by ensuring that:
  1. a school meets all the requirements of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
  2. a school meets all of the requirements of the Archbishop of Birmingham
  3. a school’s approach to planning enables it to respond to the Areas for Improvement identified in its previous denominational inspection
  4. a school's current development plans relating to inspection are fit for purpose.
 
Initially, these checks will be undertaken remotely. Schools will receive email notification containing further information on how to submit the following documentation:
  • ​Individual classroom timetables (primary) or whole-school timetable (secondary)
  • Monitoring of areas for improvement identified in previous inspection report (by providing a copy of the 'Response to Last Inspection' page from your CSED, for example)
  • Current development plans for Catholic life and mission, religious education, and collective worship
  • Either: Long term RE plan (primary)
    Or: KS3 scheme of work for RE and, if applicable, KS5 Scheme of work for Core RE (secondary)

​Following the remote check, a short conversation via Zoom may be held between the DES and senior leaders. At the end the review, a Statement of Compliance will be issued to the school detailing its compliance in each of the areas above.

Monitoring Visits

For schools graded less than Good in their most recent denominational inspection, Monitoring Visits will usually occur in the second academic year following inspection. These visits are in lieu of a Compliance Check.

These half-day on-site visits involve:
  1. ​meetings with the head teacher and religious education subject leader
  2. a learning walk to observe learning in religious education and to look at the site's physical expression of its Catholic life and mission
  3. a pupil voice activity.

Notice of Deferral (for Ofsted)

When the archdiocese is notified that a school, which has not undergone denominational inspection within the last five years, is to undergo an Ofsted inspection, a Notice of Deferral will be sent electronically to the head teacher to explain that a school has not undergone a denominational inspection within the usual timeframe, due to the pandemic. This notice should be shared with the lead inspector.
 
The DfE has assured the CES that such a letter will be considered as a legitimate and valid reason for deferral of denominational inspection by Ofsted inspectors.
Inspector Portal
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Birmingham Diocesan Education Service
​Don Bosco House, Coventry Road, Coleshill, B46 3EA
01675 464755

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  • Home
    • Our Mission, Aims and What We Offer
    • Important Information
    • Newsletter >
      • DES Circulars
    • Training and Events
    • School Support Partners
    • Guidance for Schools
  • Safeguarding
  • Catholic Education
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Catholic Schools Inspection
    • Prayer and Liturgy
    • RE LIVE
    • Year of Jubilee 2025
  • Leadership & Governance
    • Leadership Events
    • External Advisors and Mentors
    • Governance >
      • Governance Updates & Events
    • Admissions
  • Buildings & Finance
  • School Improvement
  • Our Families of Schools
    • Vision and Multi Academy Strategy >
      • Multi Academy Vision 2024
  • Careers
    • Vacancies
    • Train to Teach in Catholic Schools
    • Leadership Vacancy Notification
  • DES Model Policies
    • Essential Employment Policies and Procedures
    • Recruitment Documentation
  • Contact Us