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Inspectors to act as 'professional coaches', while parents' complaints could spark a visit.
The biggest change in school inspection in a generation is unveiled today by HMIE.
Gone are seven-yearly inspections; they are to be replaced with a more proportionate and targeted approach based on "intelligence" from parents, local authorities and other sources.
The notice required before an inspection team arrives is reduced to only two weeks, perhaps even less in future. And inspectors are to be seen more as professional coaches than "external examiners".
"We will be inspecting with schools rather than doing it to them," said Bill Maxwell, senior chief inspector.
The inspection system will become more "parent-friendly" too, Dr Maxwell told TESS.
Bespoke reports for each school will be more akin to two-page letters to parents, although a more detailed feedback report will be written for the school's senior management, with a confidential copy passed to the chair of the school's parent body.
And inspections of subject departments will be replaced with a more cross- curricular approach, focusing on literacy and numeracy across children's learning.
The new inspection framework follows a national consultation launched by Education Secretary Michael Russell, who was concerned that small school inspections in particular were disproportionately heavy-handed.
The consultation received more than 3,000 responses and will be implemented from August by the new Scottish Education Quality...