Ofsted inspection: role of the school business manager (SBM)

Your role as an SBM will likely depend on whether your school has appointed an Ofsted nominee to support your headteacher with the inspection. Find out what inspectors may talk to you and your team about and what responsibilities you might have before and during inspection.

Last reviewed on 13 November 2025See updates
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Contents
  1. Agree on your responsibilities well ahead of inspection 
  2. What inspectors might talk to you about
  3. Tasks before and during inspection

Agree on your responsibilities well ahead of inspection 

Your involvement in an Ofsted inspection will depend on whether your school has appointed an Ofsted nominee. This is a new optional role under the 2025 inspection framework, and involves supporting the headteacher with planning, communication and engagement with inspectors. 

Your headteacher should decide well before an inspection whether to nominate anyone, and if so, who to choose. See our article on the role of the Ofsted nominee to find out more. 

If your school: 

In any case, you should speak