Publication - FOI/EIR release

Long form and short form inspections data: FOI release

Published: 4 August 2025
Topic: Education, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202500469951
Date received: 9 June 2025
Date responded: 2 July 2025

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

The number of long form and short form inspections conducted by HMiE Scotland since 1 Jan 2021. Included in the breakdown I request the following data:

The quality indicators assessed for each inspection.

What the assessment was against the 6 point scale laid down in Appendix 3 of “How good is our school?” 4th edition.

Furthermore I would be grateful for:

A breakdown by each Main inspector of the overall number of quality indicators assessed at each grade of the 6 point scale.

Whilst I understand that names are a particularly sensitive issue, each QPI report has a published covering letter signed out by the inspector, so this is already a matter of public record.

Response

The attached documents provide the list of school and early learning and childcare (ELC) inspections carried out each academic year since 1 Jan 2021. The information details the quality indicators evaluated in each inspection and the gradings awarded.

Please note that on 13 March 2020, Education Scotland paused all routine inspections of ELC settings and schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Routine inspections resumed in September 2022.

You also requested information regarding a breakdown by each main inspector of the overall number of quality indicators assessed at each grade of the six-point scale.

While each inspection has a managing inspector who leads the inspection, the gradings for quality indicators are the professional judgement of the team of HM Inspectors who carried out that inspection. This professional judgement is reached through: gathering evidence; reviewing documentation; observing learning and teaching; and discussions with staff, parents and carers, learners and other stakeholders. The findings, including the gradings for every inspection are subject to rigorous internal quality assurance procedures to ensure consistency and fairness. The name of the managing inspector is detailed on the inspection letter published on the Education Scotland website (Education Scotland | Education Scotland).

Accordingly, under section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act we formally notify you that the information you have requested regarding a breakdown by each main inspector of the overall number of quality indicators assessed at each grade of the six-point scale is not held.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.