James Learmonth has been an HMI, a Chief Inspector in an LEA, and an OFSTED Registered Inspector. He is now Director of the Centre for Education Leadership and School Improvement (CELSI) at Canterbury Christ Church University College, and works on school improvement projects in the UK and internationally.

• List of figures -- List of tables -- Series Editors' preface Acknowledgements -- 1.Introduction -- 2.The context of school inspection -- 3.How did the inspection process develop? -- 4.Does inspection help schools in difficulty? -- 5.Does inspection help schools improve? -- 6.What kind of inspection system would help raise standards? -- 7.Conclusion: what's in it for schools? -- References -- Appendix -- Index.

'So the answer to the question "what's in it for schools?" is supported self-evaluation; a process "at once more rigorous and more constructive than Ofsted" involving all the stakeholders, with teachers as partners rather than targets and school inspectors "affording assistance". Teachers attracted by this model should start reading here.' - Particia Rowan, Times Educational Supplement 'This compact, economically edited book contains an extended list of references, an appendix containing summaries of two substantial reviews of OfSTED's work and the text is enlivened by reproductions of relevant cartoons from the past.' - ACE Bulletin