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Ofsted inspection

A guide to Ofsted inspection

What governing boards can expect from inspection, what inspectors look for, and steps to take following an inspection.

Guidance
27/11/2024
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Ofsted is responsible for inspecting maintained schools and academies to make sure that they are providing a high standard of education. Our guide to Ofsted inspection has been developed to help governing boards:

  • know what to expect from an Ofsted inspection
  • understand what inspectors look at and some of the evidence they consult
  • take steps following inspection to support school improvement

Changes to inspection

Download the guide to find out about recent changes to inspection following Ofsted's Big Listen, including:

  • the removal of single headline grades (schools will still receive grades for the four existing key judgement areas) – Ofsted is developing report cards to replace this in 2025
  • the removal of ‘deep dives’ from ungraded inspections
  • a revised process for pausing and deferring inspections
  • notice for all routine inspections (graded and ungraded) in the form of a phone call will be given on a Monday with inspections to start on a Tuesday
  • a new pilot approach to safeguarding reporting – school leaders may be given 3 months to resolve safeguarding issues if the school is doing well in all other areas

A guide to Ofsted inspection

Ofsted guidance

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