CRIP Resources

Centre for Research into Practice: Staff Research Summaries

History of the education inspectorate in Wales

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Helen Lewis, Russell Grigg, Cathryn Knight

What we wanted to find out

How and why did the education inspectorate begin in Wales? How has its remit changed over the years? What is the relative value of the education inspectorate?

1907

1839

How we did the research

A team of historians and retired school inspectors conducted first-hand research e.g. using libraries and archives and a range of sources, including reports, newspapers and oral history.

North Wales Chronicle, 1897

What we found out

The education inspectorate in Wales has played a key role in promoting Welsh language and culture in education. Historically, the inspectorate has steered a course between being instruments of the state and independent influencers of education policy and practice.

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Why this matters

The research provides the first authoritative history of the education inspectorate in Wales. At a time when the inspectorate itself is under review, this is a timely reminder of its wide-ranging services.

Where to find out more

Dr Russell Grigg, Senior Lecturer, Education, Swansea University: g.r.grigg@swansea.ac.uk

Grigg, R. (2022) ‘The Inspectors and the inspected, 1839-1906’ in A. Kean (ed.) Watchdogs or Visionaries? Perspectives on the History of the Education Inspectorate in Wales, Cardiff: University of Wales Press.

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