The approach recommended in the Framework and Conducting the inspection suggests that inspectors should be flexible in their timetabling of events during the visit, and should not plan their timetable beyond the first day. However, the lead inspector may be able to supply a plan showing what the inspection team will be doing in school at the pre-inspection briefing. If so, this information needs to be communicated to all staff, and posted on a staff noticeboard.

If inspectors request it, the work of a sample of pupils needs to be collected together and pupils need to be nominated for shadowing.

Any additional information required by the inspectors should be collated. For example, inspectors may wish to know the school’s policy on homework.

The lead inspector should inform the school of any particular interviews they wish to conduct during the visit (eg with the chair of governors, or a group of pupils). The location of the meeting/interviewing rooms should also be noted.

Teachers can expect visits from any of the inspectors in their lessons. An inspector may be following a group of pupils or sitting in on form periods. Inspectors may examine pupils’ work in the classroom and ask questions about special educational needs arrangements. There will be short feedback for the teacher at a mutually agreed time, but they should note that inspectors may well leave lessons halfway through to visit another classroom.