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

20th Jul 2026

MAT inspections ‘could put trusts off struggling schools’
With the government planning trust-level inspections, the National Governance Association warns against judging MATs by looking at the overall performance of their schools
MAT inspections
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Thursday

16th Jul 2026

DfE removes Penta as BSO inspectorate after critical Ofsted reports
Association of British Schools Overseas welcomes the decision that it says ensures the integrity of the government kitemark is protected
Penta removed as BSO inspectorate

Tuesday

14th Jul 2026

Revealed: Scale of Ofsted complaints under report card framework
Data showing that one in 20 inspection activities resulted in a complaint has been published in the watchdog’s annual report and accounts for 2025-26
Ofsted inspection

Friday

10th Jul 2026

More than 1 in 3 inspected schools face Ofsted monitoring
Tes analysis reveals a big increase in Ofsted monitoring inspections, prompting warnings about school leaders’ wellbeing and inspector workload
More than 1 in 3 schools inspected by Ofsted in 2025-26 now face a monitoring inspection.
Exclusive

Monday

29th Jun 2026

Ofsted criticised for ‘inhumane’ inspections during heatwave
School leaders demand explanation for the decision to carry out inspections last week as schools dealt with overheated staff and pupils ‘vomiting left, right and centre’
A thermostat rising
Exclusive

Wednesday

24th Jun 2026

Secondaries more likely to be marked down for attendance and behaviour
Ofsted’s latest data reveals a disparity in outcomes between primary and secondary schools in the combined inspection area of attendance and behaviour
Secondary schools are almost twice as likely as primary schools to be rated as falling short on attendance and behaviour under Ofsted's new inspections.

Tuesday

23rd Jun 2026

Oliver responds to MPs’ concerns about new Ofsted inspections
The education select committee questions the Ofsted chief about the impact of inspections on school leaders’ wellbeing and about controversy over the watchdog’s grade for achievement
Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver

Monday

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