The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2025

Published: Wed 7th May 25

The Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2025, effective May 7, 2025, appoints Jacqueline Anne Line and Nicola Mary Lownds as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.

This order is made under the authority of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

Arguments For

  • Strengthening Educational Oversight: The appointment of new inspectors ensures robust oversight of education, children's services, and skills development across the country. This can lead to improvements in the quality of education and services for improved outcomes.

  • Expertise and Fresh Perspectives: The selection process for His Majesty’s Inspectors likely prioritizes expertise and experience to review and evaluate educational performance. Introducing new inspectors brings fresh perspectives and potentially innovative approaches to inspection methodologies.

  • Legal Authority: The Order is made under the authority of Section 114(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, providing a clear legal basis for the appointments.

  • Meeting workforce needs: The appointments address potential skill shortages or ensure sufficient capacity for education inspections.

Arguments Against

  • Potential for Bias: The selection process for inspectors may inevitably introduce some degree of subjective biases that influence inspection findings, potentially impacting fairness and objectivity.

  • Resource Allocation: The cost associated with recruiting, training and supporting additional inspectors should be considered carefully to ensure efficient use of public funds. Additional resources could impact other priorities.

  • Administrative Burden: The inspection process introduces administrative burden for educational institutions and related organisations. Careful management is needed to minimize undue pressure in this area.

Citation and commencement1.

This Order may be cited as the Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (No. 2) Order 2025 and comes into force on 7th May 2025.

Appointment of His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills2.

The persons named in the Schedule to this Order are appointed as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.

SCHEDULEThe persons appointed as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills on 7th May 2025

Article 2

  • Jacqueline Anne Line

  • Nicola Mary Lownds

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order appoints the persons named in the Schedule as His Majesty’s Inspectors of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.