Ofsted has warned schools not to spend money on “Mystic Meg” consultants that are promising insights into the new inspection framework that the inspectorate will launch next year.

Sean Harford, the regulator’s national director of education, today urged schools “not to buy the snake oil”,  as he warned of firms offering “dramatic results in just 10 weeks”.

Ofsted will consult on its plans for a new inspection regime next year, which will place greater emphasis on curriculum and the overall quality of education a school provides.

In a new blog post, Mr Harford said Ofsted was aware that consultants were already offering schools insights into the new framework, despite no plans having been formally launched yet.

He said: “Leaders from across the country report that their inboxes are full of offers from consultation firms promising to take them through the new Ofsted education inspection framework.

“I’d like to be a fly on the wall at one of these sessions, given that we are yet to consult formally on the content, let alone actually carry out inspections using the new framework.

“Please, do not hand your silver to these Mystic Megs.”

Mr Harford reiterated Ofsted’s work to debunk myths and clarify expectations about what the organisation looks for in inspections, through blogs, videos, webinars, newsletters, roadshows, other events and conferences.

However, he said the lucrative industry that sells schools consultation into “what Ofsted wants” and “preparation for Ofsted” is seemingly thriving.

Mr Harford highlighted examples of schools being told that they could “save five hours’ staff time a day” or get “dramatic results in just 10 weeks”.

Consultation on Ofsted’s new framework will be launched next month, before coming into effect in September 2019.

The inspectorate has faced calls to put its plans on hold amid concern about the timescale to introduce a major change to the way it inspects schools, and fears that it could result in increased workload.