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

Yesterday

22nd Jun 2026

Headteachers criticise ‘brutal’ Ofsted inspection framework
Campaign group’s survey of schools finds ‘overwhelmingly negative’ reactions to new inspection system
A row of teachers holding up cards with emojis on

Monday

15th Jun 2026

Enrichment benchmarks: no government commitment on funding for schools
The government’s long-awaited enrichment benchmarks for schools have finally been published, encompassing areas such as civic engagement, the arts, nature and sport
Children on a outdoor scavenger hunt

Friday

12th Jun 2026

The key changes to Ofsted inspection for 2026-27
Ofsted publishes updated grading toolkits and guides for inspectors coming into effect from September
The key changes to Ofsted inspection for 2026-27

Thursday

11th Jun 2026

School paperwork surges due to ‘horrendous’ Ofsted workload
Around half of secondary schools have already produced extra documents to prepare for the new inspections
Pile of papers on desk

Wednesday

10th Jun 2026

What Ofsted inspectors really think about inclusion
A union leader representing Ofsted HMIs says that, when considering inclusion, the views of inspectors must not be left out of accountability debates
Illustration of inclusion

Wednesday

20th May 2026

Ofsted will update toolkits to ‘clarify’ approach to disadvantage
Watchdog director insists that achievement grades from inspections are ‘fair’ – despite fears that schools with more disadvantaged pupils are being penalised
Ofsted will clarify how it focused on disadvantaged students in its inspection toolkits.
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Friday

15th May 2026

The 4 fundamentals that drive great schools, anywhere in the world
Robert Tarn reflects on his time as a trust CEO and now working for an international schools group on what great education looks like, whatever the context
Swimmer on start line
Are schools as inclusive as Ofsted grades suggest?
Almost nine in 10 schools are making the grade in Ofsted’s inclusion checks – but is the system working?
Hand prints on paper

Thursday

14th May 2026

Ofsted flags concerns over Penta BSO inspections
Report warns of many issues with international school inspections under the DfE kitemark, but Penta promises action is being taken to improve its inspection processes
Ofsted has raised concerns about Penta inspections of international schools

Tuesday

12th May 2026

Our journey to an all ‘exceptional’ Ofsted report
How a mantra of ‘tomorrow will be better than today’ helped this school achieve a stellar inspection judgement, as its head explains
Our journey to an all ‘exceptional’ Ofsted report

Thursday

7th May 2026

Ofsted confirms no major framework changes despite criticism
Beware ‘misconception’ that schools below national average for outcomes will automatically get ‘needs attention’ grade for achievement, says Ofsted national director for education
A woman wearing glasses inspecting a small piece of material

Wednesday

6th May 2026

Heads more likely than teachers to find new Ofsted inspections stressful
A third of senior leaders think the new-style inspections are ‘much more stressful’ than previous inspections, Teacher Tapp polling shows
Headteachers and senior leaders are around twice as likely as teachers to find Ofsted inspection under its new framework much more stressful than previous versions.
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