This article covers staff who are responsible for inspecting publicly funded early education and schools, which include both maintained schools and academies. It also covers staff responsible for registering and inspecting the quality of early childhood education and care provided by the voluntary and private sectors.
Both functions are the responsibility of Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, a non-ministerial government department that reports directly to Parliament. See the article on ‘Quality Assurance in Early Childhood and School Education’ for details of the inspection frameworks and processes involved.
Ofsted directly employs inspectors known as Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI). Under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and Section 5 of the Education Act 2005, HMI undertake regular inspections of education settings and schools. HMIs working within the education sector fall into two groups:
- HMI, Education (including early education) are responsible for inspecting nursery schools, nursery classes in primary schools for children from the age of three, maintained primary and secondary schools, academies, and school sixth forms;
- HMI, Further Education and Skills inspect education providers including sixth-form colleges, further education colleges and 16-19 academies.
HMI, Social Care and Regulatory Inspectors inspect social care services, including day care and childminding providers.
Ofsted also directly contracts other inspectors, known as Ofsted Inspectors.
Requirements for appointment
All inspectors who visit schools, further education and early years settings and have contact with children must undergo ‘safer recruitment’ checks before their appointment is confirmed. This includes an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For more information on safer recruitment requirements, see the subheading ‘Entry to the profession’ in the article on ‘Conditions of Service for Teachers’.
Candidates for the post of HMI, Education and HMI, Further Education and Skills must be educated to bachelor's degree level. They must also have a minimum of five years' leadership experience at a senior level in education or further education and skills provision (respectively), and a broad knowledge and understanding of current education/further education issues gained in a suitable range of settings. In addition:
- HMI, Education candidates must have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS);
- HMI, Further Education and Skills candidates must hold a relevant qualification or equivalent experience in education or training.
Further information on the two types of HMI role and requirements for appointment is available on the Ofsted HMI website.
Ofsted Inspectors must be educated to degree level. Early years inspectors must have a minimum of three years’ successful teaching or managing experience in their sector, whilst school and further education inspectors must have a minimum of five years’ successful teaching experience and two years’ substantial management experience in their sector. School and further education inspectors must also have QTS, or QTS or equivalent for further education and skills. Further information is available on the Ofsted Inspector website.
Conditions of service
Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) are employed directly by Ofsted as civil servants.
Normally, a permanent full-time HMI is required to work a five-day week (Monday to Friday). He/she is based at home, but is required to undertake significant amounts of travel to visit schools. There is an annual leave allowance of 32.5 days, plus eight days of public holiday. Staff are entitled to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The pay scale begins at £45,453 (€50,127.23*), rising to £74,118 (Ofsted Inspector)(€81,740.03*) for experienced inspectors.
HMI, Education may be employed on a permanent or fixed-term basis.
Contracted Ofsted Inspectors are paid a daily rate. Further information is available on a dedicated section of the Ofsted website.
*Exchange rate used: €1 = £0.91, ECB, 08 December 2020.
Article last reviewed April 2021.