Reviewer Competency Quality Mark (RCQM) school inspector training

Internationally benchmarked training for educators who want to develop their expertise in school inspection and evaluation

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What is RCQM?

The Reviewer Competency Quality Mark (RCQM) is edt's internationally recognised certification for school inspectors. It helps school leaders and education professionals to develop the skills to review, evaluate, and improve schools to a global standard.

The RCQM combines face-to-face instruction with practical, on-the-job training, supported by intensive coaching and mentoring. The programme is built on a competency framework based on international inspection standards, aligned with leading systems such as Ofsted in England.

With RCQM, you will learn to:

understand inspection frameworks and quality standards
gather and analyse evidence effectively
evaluate teaching, leadership, and student outcomes
write clear, professional inspection reports
use inspection skills to improve your own school.

The four pillars of RCQM inspection training:

Knowledge - You'll gain a deep understanding of inspection frameworks, evidence collection, and evaluation methodology.
Conduct - Professional behaviour, sensitivity, and ethical practice throughout the inspection process are essential.
Professional skills - This includes observation, interviewing, data analysis, and report writing to a high standard.
Judgement - The ability to synthesise evidence into fair, defensible inspection grades and findings.

Successful completion of the RCQM leads to the endorsement of inspector performance against the best internationally recognised standards.

Why choose edt?

60+ years of experience partnering with governments and schools
Global inspection experience across the Middle East, Africa, Asia & the UK
Courses available for different experience levels
Online and practical in-person training options available

Express your interest

Why edt?

Edt's inspection training is powered by expertise, and built over decades of global inspection and school improvement experience - across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the UK. We don’t just teach inspection, we build real reviewer capability to empower school improvement across the world.

What makes RCQM different?

Unlike attendance-based certifications, RCQM requires assessed practice: real inspection activity, portfolio evidence, and demonstrated competence.

International credibility

RCQM is benchmarked against international inspection quality standards, such as those applied by Ofsted in England, and ONESQA in Thailand. Your accreditation carries real weight.

Apply learning immediately

The skills you build aren't just for external inspection. RCQM equips you to lead rigorous evaluation in your own school, driving improvement from the inside out. Use your new skills to:

strengthen leadership decision-making
improve self-evaluation in your own setting
raise standards for students.

Designed for busy leaders with a flexible entry point

RCQM courses take place typically over three days, with short and focused training that leads to clear outcomes. It's built for immediate impact, and is ideal for:

headteachers and senior leaders
middle leaders preparing for wider roles
system leaders and aspiring inspectors.

Benefits of this programme

International credibility
Designed for busy educators
Flexible entry point
Immediately apply your learning

Their real-time calibration, precise feedback, and steady mentoring made a significant difference to our practice. I greatly appreciated [edt's] professionalism, high standards, and the way they modelled effective inspection conduct throughout.
RCQM Level 2 participant feedback, Al Shola American School, October 2025

How accreditation works

The RCQM involves a simple, step-by-step journey from training to certification. It is awarded at three levels, covering all aspects of inspector qualification and competence, from initial training to team and lead inspector.

Level 1 Certification: Inspect in your own school

Level 1 Certification provides a foundation in inspection methodology - from evidence gathering, to professional conduct and report writing. On completion, you're equipped to carry out inspections and evaluations in your own school.

Level 2 - 2 (a); 2 (b): Full accreditation as Team Inspector

Level 2 uses your foundational training and applies it in shadowed and assessed inspections in live contexts. This demonstrates real competence in the field, and opens the door to joining edt's own global team of peer inspectors. Certification is achieved upon successful completion of an edt-mentored review in a school.

Level 3: Lead Inspector

Once a number of external inspections are completed, participants can apply for full accreditation of RCQM at Level 3
(Team Inspector).

For more information about our RCQM inspection training and levels, you can read our brochure or contact us directly.

Register interest

Join an international network of school leaders and inspectors working to raise standards and improve outcomes for every learner.

New RCQM cohorts are added regularly - click the button below to check our latest course dates and express your interest today.

Check course dates and register your interest