Its name comes from the Welsh language verb estyn meaning "to reach (out), stretch or extend".

His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales (HMCI) and her staff are Crown and civil servants.

Meilyr Rowlands was appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales (HMCI) on 1 June 2015.

Estyn's strategic objectives are: Estyn works in collaboration with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW), Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) and Wales Audit Office (WAO) to implement the Welsh Government's policy statement on Inspection, Audit and Regulation.

In partnership with Ofsted, Estyn has responsibility for inspecting learners in England who are funded by the Welsh Government and who attend independent special schools, work-based learning courses, and provision for young people in youth offending teams.