Inspection criteria
Highlights from school evaluation and improvement
- Attendance: what Ofsted is looking for Ofsted will consider your attendance data when making specific judgements. Understand what evidence inspectors will want to look at, and what they want to see in 'outstanding' and 'good' schools.
- 'Cultural capital': what Ofsted is looking for It's a buzzword from the inspection framework, and Ofsted will consider it when assessing your quality of education, but what does 'cultural capital' mean? Read on to find out, and how inspectors will evaluate it in your school.
- Definitions: 'disadvantaged pupils' and 'vulnerable' pupils Learn how the DfE and Ofsted define 'disadvantaged' pupils. There's no official definition of 'vulnerable' pupils, but you can see examples of how the DfE and the Children's Commissioner define this group.
- Health and safety: how to show Ofsted you're fulfilling your duties Ofsted doesn't have set criteria for evaluating health and safety, but it'll report on any failure to comply with statutory requirements. Be clear on your obligations, and good practice, so you feel ready if Ofsted asks.
- How Ofsted inspects 'behaviour and attitudes' Learn how Ofsted inspects 'behaviour and attitudes' under the Ofsted inspection framework. This judgement covers behaviour, attendance, exclusion and attitudes to learning.
- How Ofsted inspects early years education Learn how Ofsted inspects your EYFS provision. This judgement covers nursery, reception, provision for 2- and 3-year-olds, and wraparound care.
- How Ofsted inspects governance Get to grips with how governance is inspected under the 2019 Ofsted framework, and the role of governors on inspection day.
- How Ofsted inspects 'leadership and management' Understand which parts of school leadership and management will be judged under the Ofsted inspection framework. See what evidence you can provide and read a summary of the grade descriptors.
- How Ofsted inspects 'personal development' Learn how Ofsted inspects 'personal development' under the 2019 framework, including how SMSC development is considered. Download our list of questions inspectors might ask about British values.
- How Ofsted inspects safeguarding Understand what Ofsted expects to see in your safeguarding arrangements, and what evidence inspectors will collect during an inspection. Download our list of questions Ofsted might ask about child protection, including how you handle sexual harassment and abuse in your school.
- How Ofsted inspects sixth forms If you have sixth form provision at your school, learn how Ofsted will inspect it under the 2019 framework.
- How Ofsted inspects your curriculum Ofsted's 'quality of education' measure puts your curriculum in the spotlight. Understand how inspectors will judge your intent, implementation and impact, and the evidence they'll consider. Also see details of the updated transitional period.
- How Ofsted will assess RSE (primary) Relationships and sex education (RSE) won't be inspected on its own - instead, Ofsted will look at how you're meeting statutory requirements for RSE, and consider this within your personal development, and leadership and management.
- How Ofsted will assess RSE (secondary) Ofsted won't inspect relationships and sex education (RSE) on its own - instead, inspectors will look at how you're meeting statutory requirements for RSE, and consider this within your personal development, and leadership and management.
- How to expand narrow definitions of ‘cultural capital’ 'Cultural capital' doesn't have to be limited to culture that's mostly white, middle-class and male. Find out how to provide your pupils with cultural capital that celebrates all cultures and values diversity, to prepare them for life in modern Britain.
- Ofsted changes for the 2021/22 academic year: summary Ofsted has updated its inspection handbooks for September 2021. See what's changed for the new academic year, including inspection guidance on sexual harassment and the extension of inspection windows.
- Ofsted 'deep dives': geography (primary) Find out what Ofsted inspectors might ask during a geography 'deep dive'. Read our curriculum questions – they're based on inspections under the 2019 framework.
- Ofsted 'deep dives': maths (primary) Find out what evidence inspectors will look at during a maths 'deep dive', and what questions they might ask. Download our list of questions to help you prepare.
- Ofsted 'deep dives': modern foreign languages (MFL) in primary Find out what evidence Ofsted inspectors look for in a modern foreign languages 'deep dive', and download our list of questions to help you prepare.
- Ofsted 'deep dives': reading (primary) Find out what Ofsted inspectors might ask during a reading 'deep dive'. Download our list of questions – it's based on inspections under the 2019 framework.
- Ofsted 'deep dives': science Find out how Ofsted inspectors do a science 'deep dive' and see what they might ask by downloading our list of questions based on previous inspections.
-
Ofsted 'summary evaluations' of trusts: explainer
Summary evaluations are Ofsted's approach to gathering findings about a trust. Find out what happens at each stage of the process, what Ofsted will expect of you and your leadership team and what it's likely to consider.
For Trust Leaders
- School policies: what Ofsted is looking for Ofsted inspectors won't grade your policies, but they'll want to know how you're implementing them. Find out what inspectors would want to see from your school.
