Inspection

The latest news, analysis and opinion on inspections at schools in the UK and overseas, from updates to inspection frameworks and guidance on how to prepare

Tuesday

11th Mar 2025

Sir Hamid Patel appointed interim chair of Ofsted
The Star Academies chief will serve until the summer when a permanent appointment is expected to be made
Sir Hamid Patel has been appointed as the interim chair of Ofsted.

Monday

10th Mar 2025

My Week As... executive director for children and young people at Lewisham Council
In our ‘My Week As’ series, a senior sector leader reveals what a typical week looks like in their role. Here, we talk to children’s services director Pinaki Ghoshal
Pinaki Ghoshal

Thursday

6th Mar 2025

Ofsted: Inspections could have shifted focus away from maths
Watchdog’s evaluation of its Education Inspection Framework says it may have resulted in schools focusing too much on reading
Ofsted says inspections may have led schools to prioritise reading over maths

Wednesday

5th Mar 2025

More than a thousand complaints made after Ofsted school visits
The number of complaints made to Ofsted following school inspections has increased by 60 per cent over the last three years
More than a thousand complaints made after Ofsted school visits
How changes to private school inspections have played out
The general secretary of the HMC explains how a new inspection framework for private schools has gone down – and why no change can avoid unforeseen impacts
Illustration of someone kicking down giant dominos

Monday

3rd Mar 2025

Ofsted finds ‘significant concerns’ with Penta BSO inspections
Safeguarding oversights and superficial assessments listed in report as causes for concern – but two other British schools overseas inspectorates do meet standards, Ofsted says
Athlete failing at high jump

Wednesday

26th Feb 2025

Ofsted to test new inspection toolkits in schools
Visits to schools will also test whether different inspectors reach the same judgement about strengths and areas of improvement
Lots of men testing the same thing

Tuesday

25th Feb 2025

‘Alternative’ Ofsted survey asks if report cards are fit for purpose
Former senior HMI have launched their own survey to run in parallel with Ofsted’s official consultation
Man standing on derailment track

Thursday

20th Feb 2025

Secrets of the first Scottish secondary rated ‘excellent’ for learning
A Glasgow school has become the first secondary to be rated ‘excellent’ for learning and teaching since the current inspection model was introduced in 2016. Emma Seith looks at what we can learn from its success
What can be learned from first Scottish secondary rated ‘excellent’ for learning and teaching

Wednesday

19th Feb 2025

Ofsted bonus gender pay gap widens ‘significantly’
Watchdog report highlights impact of ‘affordability pressures’ on number of bonuses paid last year
Ofsted's bonus gender pay gap has soared in 2024.

Monday

17th Feb 2025

Heads’ leaders defend organised opposition to Ofsted plans
In response to a school leaders’ union producing a template response to the Ofsted consultation, the watchdog says it wants to hear the views of individuals instead
The NAHT school leaders' union has defended its response to the Ofsted consultation
Exclusive

Friday

14th Feb 2025

Ofsted framework will lead to ‘army of expensive consultants’
The Headteachers’ Roundtable has also expressed concerns that inclusion and SEND are ‘afterthoughts’ in Ofsted’s proposed inspection framework
Ofsted's new inspections risk creating an army of consultants offering schools support as they try to adapt, leaders are warning.