Ofsted and other inspection

Highlights from school evaluation and improvement

Evidence and documents for inspection

2 articles

Inspection criteria

15 articles

Inspection criteria: teaching and learning

2 articles
  • How Ofsted inspects SEND provision
    See how Ofsted inspects SEND as part of the 'inclusion' evaluation area. Find out what inspectors will look for and how they'll gather evidence, including case sampling.
  • Teaching assistants' role in Ofsted inspections
    Inspectors won't judge individual teaching assistants (TAs) – they're more interested in how effectively you deploy them. However, your TAs might get asked about safeguarding, behaviour, and how your school supports particular pupils. Find out what Ofsted expects from TAs so you can be prepared.

Inspection processes and procedures

7 articles
  • Case sampling: what it is and how to prepare
    Learn how Ofsted inspectors will use case sampling to look at specific pupils in your school, what the process involves and how to prepare for it. Plus, use our templates to let parents/carers know if inspectors will want to talk to them or their child.
  • Deferring and pausing Ofsted inspections: guidance
    You can ask for an Ofsted inspection to be deferred, if you have concerns about your school's circumstances. Pausing an inspection that's already started might also be necessary, to protect your or your staff's wellbeing. Find out when and how you can make a request for a deferral or a pause.
  • How to talk to your team about Ofsted inspections
    Find tips on talking to your team about Ofsted inspections, including before and after you've had the outcome. Get everyone on the same page about what to expect, and download our poster to remind staff of wellbeing safeguards during an inspection.

Preparing for inspection

7 articles
  • How to keep governors Ofsted-ready
    Keep your board updated about what's going on in your school, and make sure they know what to expect from an Ofsted inspection under the 2025 framework. Share our list of questions on what inspectors might ask them.
  • Ofsted: FAQs
    Get answers to your questions about Ofsted's 2025 framework across the most frequently-asked topics. Plus, find links to all our resources to help you manage an Ofsted inspection effectively.
  • Ofsted nominee: who to choose and how to support them
    Understand what the Ofsted nominee does, and who may be suitable to become the nominee in your team. Plus, see tips on how to support your nominee to prepare for the role, divide workload during an inspection, and look out for their wellbeing.

Questions Ofsted might ask

3 articles

The inspection system

5 articles
  • Frequency of Ofsted inspections
    Find out how often Ofsted inspects schools under the 2025 framework and get an idea of when your next inspection will be.
  • How Ofsted inspects alternative provision
    Get to grips with how Ofsted inspects pupil referral units (PRUs) and alternative provision (AP) academies. Also find information covering inspection of residential provision.
  • Ofsted IDSR: summary
    Find out what your inspection data summary report (IDSR) includes and how inspectors will use it, and see examples from the DfE.