Ofsted and other inspection
Contents
Highlights from school evaluation and improvement
Evidence and documents for inspection
2 articles- How Ofsted gathers evidence about pupil experienceUnderstand how Ofsted will learn about and evaluate pupil experiences of your school, including which pupil groups and topics they're likely to focus on.
- How to present safeguarding referrals to OfstedUpdatedOfsted will ask to see a list of safeguarding referrals made to your DSL. Get expert advice on presenting this information, and see examples of forms other schools use to record referrals.
Inspection criteria
18 articles- Attendance: what Ofsted is looking forOfsted 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 definitionsPrepare 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 forOfsted 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 provisionSee 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 inspectionsInspectors 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- Deferring and pausing Ofsted inspections: guidanceYou can ask for an Ofsted inspection to be deferred if you have concerns about your school's circumstances. Pausing an inspection 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.
- Ofsted inspection: letter to your school community about the resultUpdatedWhatever the result, save time with our template letters so you can clearly explain the outcome of your school's latest Ofsted inspection and grading to your school community.
- Ofsted inspection: role of the school business manager (SBM)SBMs have an important role to play during an Ofsted inspection. Find out how you may be involved on the day, and what you can do to help your school prepare.
Preparing for inspection
7 articles- How to follow up an Ofsted inspection at one of your schoolsUpdatedAs a trust leader, feel confident in providing effective support to your schools after they've been inspected by Ofsted. Know what steps to take, whatever judgements your schools receive.
- How to keep governors Ofsted-readyUpdate your board regularly on what's going on in your school. If governors are up to speed, they'll feel more ready for an Ofsted inspection. Share our list of questions so they know what inspectors might ask them.
- Ofsted inspection: curriculum FAQs for small schools, special schools, PRUs and AP settingsNot sure how the 2019 framework applies to your setting? Get answers to frequently asked questions about curriculum inspection in schools like yours.
Questions Ofsted might ask
2 articles- Questions Ofsted might ask about attendance and inclusionDownload 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 roleGet 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- Frequency of Ofsted inspectionsFind out how often Ofsted inspects schools and get an idea of when your next inspection will be.
- How Ofsted inspects alternative provisionUpdatedLearn how Ofsted inspects pupil referral units (PRUs) and alternative provision (AP) academies. Also find information covering inspection of off-site units and residential provision.
- Inspection judgements: Ofsted grade descriptorsUse our side-by-side comparison of Ofsted grade descriptors, which reflect updates to the School Inspection Handbook from September 2024, to understand the criteria inspectors use to make their judgements.