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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.

Last reviewed on 14 November 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 52396
Contents
  1. Understand the nominee's role before making a decision
  2. Consider whether to nominate someone
  3. You don't have to nominate anyone
  4. Agree on your nominee well before an inspection
  5. Help your nominee feel Ofsted-ready in their role
  6. What to do when you get the call

Understand the nominee's role before making a decision

You can nominate a senior staff member to support planning, communication and engagement with inspectors throughout the inspection process.

This is a new role for school inspections from November 2025. It’s designed to streamline the workload associated with inspections and reduce stress for headteachers.

Attend the planning call alongside the leader Inform staff, governors, pupils, parents/carers and/or other relevant stakeholders about the inspection  Make sure that staff, pupils and parents/carers know how they can give their views through online questionnaires Provide information and insight into the school’s context for the lead inspector to support inspection planning Liaise with the lead inspector and make sure that documents and other information are available, and that staff can attend meetings Attend regularly planned meetings with inspectors to review