Follow Through
Follow-through inspections:
Follow-through to inspections of primary, secondary & special schools:
Follow-through is an integral part of the inspection process. It enables pupils, parents and other stakeholders to be informed of the progress the school has made in meeting the main points for action identified in the initial, core inspection and in promoting wider achievement among pupils.
At the end of the published report arising from the core inspection, HMIE will indicate in broad terms the nature of follow-through activity likely to be undertaken. This conclusion will be based on a number of factors, but will chiefly reflect how well the school has performed and how ready it is to continue to develop and improve.
HMIE follow-through activities in schools include a spectrum of different options, tailored to the strengths and development needs identified during the initial, core inspection. They may be summarised thus:
• best practice visits to examine notable good practice in more depth;
• moderation visits in a sample of schools to help decide whether the education authority should proceed to produce the follow-through report for parents;
• follow-through inspections and reports by HMIE usually around two years after the initial inspection;
• interim inspection where significant weaknesses have been identified and there is a need to inform parents of progress after a shorter period, eg a year; and
• support visits to work with school and education authority staff to help the school improve aspects of its work,
Overall, the picture emerging from the follow-through process in a very positive one with almost all schools successfully overtaking the main points for action and thus improving the provision they make for their pupils.
Follow-through to joint inspections of child protection in local authority areas:
Similar arrangements as above are in place to follow-through on the outcomes of joint inspections of child protection in local authority areas. Follow-through inspections take place within two years of the publication of the initial inspection report. Where significant weaknesses have been identified, interim follow-through inspections take place within one year.
Follow-through to college reviews:
The follow-through review phase in college reviews will assist the college in preparing an agenda for action to improve the quality of the learner experience. It will:
• be designed to be proportionate to the strengths and points for development identified during the phase one review
• investigate and write up selected examples of sector-leading and innovative practice associated with some of the key strengths identified during the phase one review, and other examples provided by the college
• investigate the causes and extent of any significant weaknesses identified in the Learning and teaching process, and Learner progress and outcomes during the phase one review
• investigate the impact and causes of any significant weaknesses identified in the Leadership and quality management elements.