1. Routine inspections are usually announced, and schools are given a maximum of two days’ notice. Usually, the school will be notified, by a telephone call from a member of the ISI delivery team, the day before the onsite inspection commences. The reporting inspector will speak with the headteacher in a pre-inspection call at a convenient time on the same day as the notification call to discuss the inspection process, and answer any questions the headteacher may have.
  2. The DfE specifies the notice period to be given for non-routine inspections. If the inspection is to be unannounced, the school is usually contacted up to an hour before the inspection team arrives on site.