Post-primary teachers’ perspectives on school inspections and their consequences in Northern Ireland

The results of the online survey garnered the perspectives of post-primary teaching staff on the effects and side-effects of school inspections and the factors which influenced their viewpoints. Data was also collected from semi-structured interviews with principals to determine their conceptualisations of the inspection process and the effects of school inspections. A thematic analysis of feedback from purposively selected focus group participants regarding teachers’ perceptions of school inspections was also presented.<br><br>The conclusions indicated there have been significant changes to school inspection in Northern Ireland, with a greater emphasis now being placed on self-evaluation.

The emotional effect of inspection was revealed to be the foremost aspect dominating teachers’ perceptions of the process. Therefore, it could be surmised that self-evaluation does not appear to have lessened the emotional fall-out. Accordingly, recommendations are proffered for possible reforms to inspections to reduce their emotional consequences for teaching staff, while also holding schools to account.