UK SI 2025/1184-The Education (Inspectors of Education and Training in Wales) Order 2025-appoints seven individuals as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education and Training in Wales, taking effect on 20 November 2025. The Order was made at the Privy Council on 12 November 2025 under section 19(2) of the Education Act 2005, which provides for appointments by Order in Council. The Welsh title used is “Arolygwyr Ei Fawrhydi dros Addysg a Hyfforddiant yng Nghymru”. The schedule lists Andrew Brassington, Dean Curtis, Matthew Goulding, Nathan Horleston, Gerallt Jones, Lisa Lewis and Penny Peet as appointees. The instrument is signed by Richard Tilbrook as Clerk of the Privy Council, consistent with the formal process for such appointments published on legislation.gov.uk.
Section 19 of the Education Act 2005 sets out the legal mechanism: the Sovereign may, by Order in Council, appoint both the Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales and His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI). Those appointed serve as members of the Chief Inspector’s staff under the terms of appointment. In practice this means appointments are executed as UK Statutory Instruments rather than devolved regulations.
HMI lead and conduct inspections across the sectors within Estyn’s remit, including maintained schools, non‑maintained nursery settings, pupil referral units, independent schools, further education providers, work‑based learning and adult community learning. Estyn also undertakes thematic reviews and advises Welsh Government on quality and standards. Post‑16 inspection powers for Estyn sit under the Learning and Skills Act 2000, with inspection intervals and reporting requirements set in subordinate legislation.
Operationally, Estyn is working to a six‑year inspection cycle introduced from September 2024. Each maintained school and PRU receives a core inspection and an interim visit within that period; interim visits are led by HMI and focus on progress rather than graded judgements. The new appointments expand the available pool of HMI to lead both core inspections and interim engagement.
Reporting and follow‑up obligations are unchanged by this Order. Current rules require inspectors to issue reports within 70 working days of completion and providers to publish an action plan within 20 working days of receiving the report. These timelines arise from the Inspection of Education and Training (Wales) Regulations 2001, as amended, and continue to apply.
Providers in initial teacher education and work‑based learning should note Estyn’s programme to implement updated inspection arrangements from September 2025. Estyn’s 2025–26 remit also highlights advisory work with Welsh Government and collaboration with Medr and QAA on self‑evaluation and improvement planning; additional HMI capacity will support this wider programme.
Within the devolved settlement, many education functions in Wales are exercised by Welsh Ministers following transfers under paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006. Appointment of HMI, however, remains a prerogative matter effected by Order in Council under the 2005 Act, which explains the use of a UK SI for a Wales‑specific inspectorate.
Estyn confirms that recruitment to HMI roles is routine and, for 2025, applications open at the end of November. This Order formalises appointments to the statutory office; inspection frameworks, intervals and provider duties remain the same. The instrument comes into force on Thursday 20 November 2025.