ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the Rayner Report, which defines the role of Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI). It also outlines the limitations on the role of HMI. HM Inspectorate has no direct responsibility or powers except the right of access to institutions and the duty to inspect on behalf of the Secretary of State. The 1944 Education Act gave the Minister of Education the duty to inspect at appropriate intervals all educational institutions. In the period following the 1944 Act, the Inspectorate continued to bear the heavy administrative burden which it had acquired during the War. The main functions of the Inspectorate since the Second World War may be classified into five main areas of activity: inspection, advice, writing, training and the executive function. Approximately 13 per cent of HMI time was for training and conferences, including dissemination of findings and HMI management. A common misconception about HMIs was that they were predominantly educated in independent schools.
