Denominational Inspection - from September 2021 
A brand new cycle of inspections will begin in September 2021.
 
Schools currently graded less than Good, and those who were originally scheduled for inspection by the end of Summer Term 2020 (pre-pandemic) will be prioritised initially. 
Once prioritised schools have been inspected, the inspectorate will work through the rest of the schools in our archdiocese.
 
All schools will undergo their next inspection by the end of the seventh academic year following their previous denominational inspection, at the latest. 
Schools and academies inspected in the Academic Year 2021-22, will undergo a Section 48 Inspection, using our existing framework (published January 2018).  
Schools and academies inspected from September 2022 onwards will undergo a Catholic Schools Inspection, using the new national framework (draft published Spring 2021).  
All inspections will be on-site. It may be pragmatic for some elements of inspection to be conducted through video/telephone calls. If relevant, inspectors will discuss this with school leaders before the start of the inspection.
 
We recognise that responding to COVID-19 has placed great demands on school leaders and may have disrupted schools’ development plans and provision: inspectors will look at how Catholic Life, RE and Collective Worship have remained a priority throughout the pandemic.
 
We also recognise that there may be a wider range of starting points and gaps than usual: inspectors will look at how these have been identified and addressed.
 
Inspection of RE in primary schools will remain focussed on the assessed units, however inspectors will acknowledge that normal practice may not have been possible throughout the pandemic.
 
Inspection of RE in secondary schools will not use any data from 2020 or 2021, as this is unavailable. Internal data will not be expected or accepted. Historical externally published data will be considered, but inspectors will be mindful of its age.
 
Where remote education remains in place at the point of inspection, inspectors may observe remote learning and review any materials used. Inspectors will only expect to see a school’s typical approach to remote learning and will not expect anything to arranged solely for inspection. 
 
RSHE must have been launched at some point in the Academic Year 2020-21, and schools’ policies must have been consulted on and published. Inspectors will be sympathetic to schools who have been unable to fully implement their policies, so long as they have adhered to guidance.
 
 
Notice of Deferral (for OFSTED)
When the archdiocese of notified that a school is undergoing a Section 5 or Section 8 inspection by OFSTED, a Notice of Deferral will be sent electronically to the Headteacher/Principal, and Executive Headteacher (where applicable), to explain that the school has not undergone a Section 48 Inspection in the usual timeframe, due to the pandemic. 
 
The DfE has assured the CES that such a letter will be considered as a legitimate and valid reason for deferral by OFSTED.  
 
Monitoring Visits
Remain suspended for the Academic Year 2021-22. 
Monitoring Visits will continue in their current format, i.e., mid-way through the inspection cycle, only for schools graded less than Good in their most recent Section 48 Inspection (or CSI).
  
Compliance Checks
Will begin from September 2022 for schools graded Good or better in their most recent Section 48 Inspection (or CSI).
 
Compliance Checks 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 ensure there is no issue of compliance that would limit the outcome of a school’s next Catholic School Inspection:
- ensure that a school meets all the requirements of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales;
- ensure that a school meets all of the requirements of the local bishop;
- ensure that a school’s approach to planning enables it to respond to the Areas for Improvement identified in its previous Section 48 Inspection (or CSI). 
 
N.B., some schools will undergo a full inspection before their first Compliance Check.

RE AND CATHOLIC LIFE

the relationship between s5 & s48 inspections

CES annual self evaluation of the governing body

National Statistics 2020

Inspection Documents 

Framework for the Inspection of Catholic Schools

S48 Framework pdf

CSI Framework (Pilot Draft)

Self Evaluation Forms

Primary SEF

Section 48 Training Presentation

Secondary SEF

Section 48 Inspectors

Krystyna Bickley
Victoria Brickley
Stephen Burns
Louise Bury
Kate Clarke 
Sister Susan Collins
Marie Conway
Bernadette Corbett
Louisa Craig
Tara Davies
Melanie Elliott
Debbie Enstone
Christine Finnegan
Rachel Girling
Veronica Gosling
Sarah Hatfield
Mark Hinton
Suzanne Horan

​Mary Johnson
Paul Madia
Chris Martin
Andrew Maund
Ben McArdle
Geraldine McCauley
Greg McClarey
Janet Mellor
Alexandra Moakes
Rebecca Nash
Karyn Oakley
Jean Richmond
Julie-Anne Tallon
Christine Walker
Francis Waugh
Rachel Waugh

Section 48 Inspectors' Portal