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

Thursday

8th Jan 2026

Why risks remain in government’s plans for trust inspections
The Confederation of School Trusts’ Steve Rollett questions the overarching strategy behind Labour’s plans for inspecting academy trusts
Steve Rollett

Wednesday

7th Jan 2026

DfE to push ahead with MAT inspections
Inspections of academy trusts could be launched in 2027-28 as Labour legislates for a major new role for Ofsted
The DfE is to introduce multi academy trust inspections.
Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson: Why we’re moving forward with trust inspections
Writing exclusively for Tes, the education secretary sets out the government’s rationale for bringing trusts into Ofsted’s inspection remit
Bridget Phillipson explains why the government is introducing Ofsted trust inspections
Exclusive

Monday

5th Jan 2026

Ofsted: Heads need to ‘think carefully’ about phones in schools
But Sir Martyn Oliver stops short of agreeing that inspectors should fail a school on safeguarding if students are seen with phones, in letter seen by Tes
Student with mobile phone
Exclusive

Monday

22nd Dec 2025

Ofsted inspectors to use Word documents for recording evidence
The watchdog will temporarily use Microsoft Word documents to gather inspection evidence as electronic system continues to malfunction
Word
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Friday

12th Dec 2025

Ofsted and DfE warned of grade shift in new inspections
Inspectorate and government warned they need to mitigate against risk that the move to new inspection framework will ‘inadvertently’ look like a decline in standards
Ofsted and DfE warned of grade shift in new inspections
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Thursday

11th Dec 2025

Ofsted warns against ‘inflexible’ school rules for pupils with SEND
Too many students with SEND are leaving the school system because of ‘missed opportunities’ to identify their needs early on, says watchdog’s report
Ofsted and the CQC have published a report into children with SEND who are not in school.

Monday

8th Dec 2025

Let’s not repeat old habits with new Ofsted labels
A trust CEO outlines how his leaders will be held against new Ofsted outcomes – but also why labels are only information, not permanent judgements
Ofsted gold star

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