Ofsted and other inspection

Highlights from school evaluation and improvement

Evidence and documents for inspection

2 articles

Inspection criteria

18 articles
  • Attendance: what Ofsted is looking for
    Ofsted will consider your attendance data when grading specific areas. Understand what evidence inspectors will want to look at, and what they want to see for 'outstanding' and 'good' judgements.
  • 'Cultural capital': expanding narrow definitions
    Prepare your pupils for life in modern Britain by providing 'cultural capital' that celebrates all cultures, and reflects your community and the country's diversity.
  • 'Cultural capital': what Ofsted is looking for
    Ofsted will consider ‘cultural capital’ when assessing your quality of education, but what does this actually mean? Read on to find out how inspectors will evaluate it in your school.

Inspection criteria: teaching and learning

2 articles
  • How Ofsted inspects SEND provision
    See how Ofsted inspects SEND provision in special schools, and mainstream schools with SEND provision. Find out what inspectors look for, how they gather evidence and how they assess outcomes.
  • Teaching assistants' role in Ofsted inspections
    Inspectors won't judge individual teaching assistants – they're more interested in how effectively you use them. However, your TAs might get asked about safeguarding and behaviour. Find out what Ofsted expects from TAs so you can be prepared.

Inspection processes and procedures

5 articles

Preparing for inspection

7 articles

Questions Ofsted might ask

2 articles
  • Questions Ofsted might ask about attendance and inclusion
    Download our resource to get an idea of the types of questions Ofsted inspectors might ask about attendance and inclusion. See who they're likely to talk to and what they might ask about your school’s data, so you can feel confident talking to inspectors.
  • Questions Ofsted might ask you based on your role
    Get an idea of what Ofsted could ask you and your colleagues all in one place, so you feel confident talking to inspectors. Find out what they could ask headteachers and SLT, middle leaders, SENCOs, teachers, SBMs and EYFS staff.

The inspection system

8 articles