Commentary Part 1: School Inspections and Other Inspections by School Inspectors Schedule 1: Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools in England Section 8: Inspection at discretion of Chief Inspector
34.This section replaces section 3(1) of SIA 1996 and gives the Chief Inspector the power to inspect any school at any time, even when not under a duty to do so under section 2(2)(b) or section 5. This allows the Chief Inspector to inspect any school where he may have cause for concern in respect of his general duty under section 2. It also enables the Chief Inspector to conduct inspections for a range of purposes, including monitoring visits by HMI to schools in special measures, visits to schools to aid him in keeping the Secretary of State informed under section 2, or to contribute to reports on, for example, the teaching in a single curriculum subject.