The purposes of Section 50 inspection are:

• to provide an evaluation of the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the church school for the governing body, the school, the parents, the diocese, the Provincial Education Office and the wider public

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• to meet the requirements of Section 50 of the Education Act 2005 for schools which have a religious character

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• to verify the judgements formed as a result of the school’s self-evaluation processes

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• to make a significant contribution to improvement in Church schools.

 Section 50 inspection focuses on the effect that the Christian character of the church school has on the learner.  Schools will become effective by means of a variety of strategies, approaches and styles, which reflect their local context or church tradition.  Inspectors should carefully diagnose how the impact that each church school has on the learner is achieved and how the learner’s personal and educational needs are being met.  They will not apply a preconceived template of what a distinctive or effective church school should be like.

To read our most recent Section 50 Inspection Report: