Questions Ofsted might ask you based on your role

Get an idea of what Ofsted could ask you and your colleagues all in 1 place, so you feel confident talking to inspectors. Find out what they could ask headteachers and SLT, DSLs, middle leaders, SENCOs, teachers, SBMs and TAs under the 2025 inspection framework.

Last reviewed on 5 March 2026See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 47484
Contents
  1. Keep staff wellbeing front and centre
  2. Inspectors won't ask you every question
  3. Headteacher and senior leadership team (SLT)
  4. Designated safeguarding lead (DSL)
  5. Middle leader
  6. SENCO and/or inclusion lead
  7. Teacher
  8. School business manager (SBM)
  9. Teaching assistants (TA)

Keep staff wellbeing front and centre

Inspection isn't a test or a judgment on individual members of staff – remind your staff that they're not being tested, and just need to talk to inspectors about the provision that your school delivers every day.

Make sure you and your staff know who to go to if they feel overwhelmed at any point during the inspection process.

Use our staff briefing to help your staff feel confident and know what to expect from the inspection, and find more wellbeing tips in our article on how to talk to your team about Ofsted inspections.

Inspectors won't ask you every question

Our question documents cover broad categories of job role. Not every question or topic will be relevant to you,