122.This section provides a person tasked with carrying out an inspection (whether the Chief Inspector, another Inspector, or a person asked to assist with an inspection) with the authority to enter any relevant educational establishment (as defined in section 39) in order to be able to fulfil that function.
123.This power must be exercised at a reasonable hour and only allows entry to a dwelling-house with the permission of the Scottish Ministers (this could be relevant to, for example, an inspection of residential accommodation where a student is living in a placement arranged to secure their attendance at a school). This power does not authorise entry by force.
124.A person exercising this power of entry must produce evidence of their identity and authority if asked to do so. They may also take onto the premises such other persons as they require in order to carry out the inspection.
Overview of the Act Cooperation with inspections Section 52 – Powers of entry and inspection