In the discussions which went on in the mid-nineteenth century about the advisability of introducing what came to be referred to, simply, as the inspection of schools, the process was frequently described as ‘the examination and inspection of schools’. In some of the quotations which follow in this chapter, that phrase is reproduced. But elsewhere in the text, wherever possible, in order to avoid any confusion with the parallel arguments which were going on about the examination of school leavers, ‘examination and inspection of schools’ has been reduced to ‘inspection’.

The earliest sign of the University’s interest in the idea of inspecting schools came in the evidence of Carpenter, the Registrar, to the Taunton Commission, on 14 March 1865. He spoke as Registrar, though occasionally he admittted that he was expressing a personal opinion. But he gave such strong support, for both the routine inspection of schools and the examination of candidates for the profession of teaching, that he may well have had the blessing of senior members of the Senate. Carpenter was in favour of Government attestation, and stressed that the University of London was a Government institution. But he felt, along with most of the other witnesses, that the new work would best be done by the universities acting together.

The Commission agreed – ‘The Universities, as being themselves institutions for education, are considered by the schoolmasters to be their natural centres.’ And they recommended the establishment of a Council of Examinations, with twelve members, two from each of Oxford, Cambridge and London, together with six appointees of the Crown, ‘to draw up rules and appoint examiners for examination of schools and for examination of candidates for the office of teacher’. But while the Commissioners were willing to propose action on testing the competence of those wishing to teach, they were not willing to recommend any scheme for the training of teachers.

The Taunton Commission did not report until the end of 1867. In the succeeding twelve months both Convocation and Senate gave their support to its recommendations, but such internal discussion as was reported centred mostly on the demands for the training and certification of teachers, rather than on concern for the inspection of schools. But Convocation did prepare a petition calling on Parliament to introduce early legislation for the improvement of secondary education.