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

2nd Dec 2025

Ofsted chief’s warning over ‘scandal’ of children missing education
Sir Martyn Oliver hopes the watchdog’s new inspection framework will result in a ‘system-wide behaviour shift on inclusion’
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver

Thursday

27th Nov 2025

Ofsted SEND inspections: key failings revealed
Tes analysis highlights the main findings in SEND inspection reports for the areas found to have systemic or widespread failings this year
A Tes analysis has highlighted recurring themes in area SEND reports given the lowest ratings.

Wednesday

26th Nov 2025

Ofsted pauses NPQ inspections
Watchdog stops routine inspections of national professional qualifications for 2025-26, at education secretary Bridget Phillipson’s request
Ofsted pauses NPQ inspections

Tuesday

25th Nov 2025

Heads’ union loses appeal against Ofsted ruling
The NAHT had appealed against a decision not to grant a judicial review into the launch of new Ofsted school inspections
The NAHT are to appeal a decision to turn down their bid for a judicial review against the way Ofsted launched its new inspections.
Exclusive
Ofsted’s new inspections cause ‘greater stress’, warn heads
But schools taking part in the first inspections under the new report-card system also report that the process feels more collaborative
ASCL has raised concerns after feedback from the first set of volunteer inspections.

Wednesday

19th Nov 2025

Ofsted school inspection window ‘could be tightened’
Teacher and leader wellbeing is ‘built into every aspect’ of the new approach to inspection, says chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver
School inspection window 'could be tightened'

Tuesday

18th Nov 2025

COBIS accreditation scheme approved in Saudi Arabia
Move welcomed by UK’s Department for Business and Trade as a positive step in the country’s international education expansion strategy
Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Friday

7th Nov 2025

‘Major concerns’ over Ofsted data changes
Schools that volunteered to be first for new inspections should be allowed to withdraw because of changes announced by Ofsted just days before the new system begins, say heads’ leaders
Ofsted has been criticised for announcing late changes to how its inspectors will use data
Exclusive

Wednesday

5th Nov 2025

Ofsted: 7 findings from pilot inspections
The schools watchdog has published findings from its pilot of new report card inspections, along with the changes it plans to make. Here is everything you need to know
Ofsted has revealed findings from its pilot inspections
Scottish chief inspector salary boosted after failure to recruit
The upper end of the salary scale has increased by over £45,000 – prompting a union to question the ‘significant’ amount being spent on ‘an outdated accountability model’
Scottish chief inspector salary boosted after failure to recruit The upper end of the salary scale has increased by over £45,000 – prompting a union to question the ‘significant’ amount being spent on ‘an outdated accountability model’

Monday

3rd Nov 2025

Union’s legal challenge of new Ofsted inspections rejected
The NAHT’s bid for a judicial review over the new Ofsted framework was heard just a week before inspections are due to start
An NAHT bid to challenge Ofsted's new inspections in the High Court has been rejected.

Friday

24th Oct 2025

NEU and ASCL join legal action against Ofsted
The two unions will provide witness statements to support the NAHT’s bid for a judicial review over Ofsted’s new inspections
The NEU and ASCL unions will provide formal support for the NAHT legal challenge against new Ofsted inspections