95.Section 43 places several duties on the Chief Inspector, when exercising the functions of the Chief Inspector.
96.The Chief Inspector is required to set and uphold high standards in education governance and accountability (paragraph (a) of subsection (1)).
97.The Chief Inspector is further required to have regard to a number of things, including the National Improvement Framework (defined in subsection (2)) and the statutory roles and responsibilities of persons or bodies the Chief Inspector works with. There is also a safeguarding duty, as the Chief Inspector is required to have regard to the need for relevant educational establishments to have adequate arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. In addition, the Chief Inspector must have regard to the needs and interests of persons who are receiving or will receive education at a relevant educational establishment (as defined in section 39), including those with educational support needs (as defined in section 63) and those who are receiving, or wish to receive, British Sign Language learner education, British Sign Language medium education, Gaelic learner education, Gaelic medium education, or the teaching of British Sign Language or the Gaelic language in further education. Finally, the Chief Inspector is to have regard to the experience of those providing teaching or training in relevant educational establishments, and also the experience of those providing support to individuals with educational support needs at relevant educational establishments.
Overview of the Act Functions Section 43 – Duties when exercising functions