National Framework

From September 2022, all denomination inspections within the Archdiocese of Birmingham will be undertaken by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate. 

Compliance Checks

​Compliance Checks, which are for schools graded Good or better, will 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 School 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.
 
Initially, these checks will be undertaken remotely; schools will receive email notification containing further information on how to submit documentation.

​Following the remote checks, a short conversation via Zoom may be held between the DES and senior leaders.

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 half-day on-site visits involve:
  1. ​meetings with the headteacher 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. pupil voice activity.

Notice of Deferral (for Ofsted)

When the archdiocese of notified that a school, which has not undergone denominational inspection within the last five years, is undergoing an Ofsted inspection, a Notice of Deferral will be sent electronically to the headteacher 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.