The inspection system

If you receive an ungraded inspection, the inspectors will focus on 3 or 4 specific topics or areas. Get up to speed on what focus areas are and what's expected of your school.

Find out how often Ofsted inspects schools and get an idea of when your next inspection will be.

Learn how Ofsted inspects pupil referral units (PRUs) and alternative provision (AP) academies. Also find information covering inspection of off-site units and residential provision.

Use 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.

Get to grips with the current inspection framework and the 4 judgement areas that inspectors will look at. Understand the difference between 'intent', 'implementation' and 'impact', and use our prompts to make sure you're on top of these key curriculum concepts.

Can headteachers join deep dives? Do schools need a certain level of staff absence to be granted a deferral? Read our mythbuster to get clarity on a range of questions about how Ofsted inspects your school.

Get to grips with Ofsted's proposed changes to the inspection process, so you can give informed and effective feedback to the inspectorate.

There aren't any new requirements for schools, but get up to speed on the changes and options available to you during an inspection.

Get a handle on what happens before, during and after an ungraded inspection, and what Ofsted will be looking for, so you and your staff feel ready.

Get to grips with what happens before, during and after a monitoring inspection. Find out whether you're eligible for this kind of inspection, too.