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
13th Oct 2026
Ofsted report card inspections are 鈥榖rutal鈥�, say governors
School leadership teams have been 鈥榖reaking down鈥� over inspection pressures, National Governance Association survey finds
Many are unhappy with Ofsted - but who can hold it to account?
Because Ofsted was set up as a non-ministerial department, the oversight of it 鈥� and other bodies like Ofqual 鈥� is not as clear cut as you might think, explains Dennis Sherwood
Friday
9th Oct 2026
ASCL passes motion of no confidence in Ofsted鈥檚 leadership
Union also considers indicative ballot on industrial action if more is not done to mitigate the impact of inspection on wellbeing
Ofsted: 鈥榃e hope new report will dial down the temperature of debate鈥�
An independent report into the new Ofsted framework offers positive signs that inspections are doing what they were designed to do, despite identifying areas to improve, argues Lee Owston
Nearly 9 in 10 schools say Ofsted inspection impacted staff mental wellbeing
Despite Ofsted welcoming findings from an independent evaluation of its inspections, heads鈥� leaders question Sir Martyn Oliver鈥檚 claim that the watchdog is 鈥榦n the right track鈥�
Is Ofsted on the brink and is there a way back?
Amid fierce criticism of its school inspections, Ofsted has been asked by education secretary Lucy Powell to go 鈥榖ack to the drawing board鈥�. John Roberts assesses whether it can find a path out of this crisis