GovWire

Introduction

This guide gives a summary of what happens during an Ofsted inspection and what providers need to do.

On inspection, inspectors gather evidence from the provider to arrive at judgements using the evaluation criteria set out in the early career framework and national professional qualification inspection framework and handbook. For full inspections, inspectors will make graded judgements against the following key judgement areas:

• overall effectiveness

• quality of professional development and training

• leadership and management

For Lead Provider Monitoring Visits (LPMVs), inspectors will focus primarily (although not exclusively) on the effectiveness of leaders in delivering a high-quality training programme for ECTs and/or NPQ participants.

Conduct during Ofsted inspections

Ofsteds code of conduct sets out our expectations of the conduct of our inspectors and our expectations of providers during inspection. At the start of the inspection (usually during the preparatory conversations), the lead inspector will explain these expectations and will ask lead providers to read the code.

Inspectors will uphold the highest professional standards in their work. They will treat everyone they meet during inspections fairly and with the respect and sensitivity they deserve. Inspectors will work constructively with leaders and staff, demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect at all times.

Notice of an inspection

We will contact the named lead providers representative(s) to announce the inspection or LPMV after 9.30am, 5 working days before the start of the inspection or visit. If the named lead providers representative(s) is unavailable when the notification call is made, we will ask to speak to an appropriate senior member of staff. After we have informed the lead provider that the inspection will take place, we will send confirmation to the lead provider by email.

While it is important that we carry out our planned inspections wherever possible, sometimes there may be reasons that a planned inspection may not go ahead and so a lead provider may request a deferral of its full inspection or LPMV. A lead provider can make a request during the initial notification phone call, or at the earliest opportunity afterwards before the start of the inspection. We will decide whether to grant a deferral in accordance with our deferral policy.

Information to share with inspectors

Inspectors will ask lead providers to give us some key information as part of the inspection. This includes details of any steps they have taken to meet equalities duties, including reasonable adjustments for individuals.

Some information will be used by the lead inspector during the preparation stage and should be made available on the day of the educationally focused conversation (on the same day as the notification call). Further information should be provided by the start of the inspection.

Full details can be found in our ECF and NPQ inspection handbook.

Information that lead providers should provide on the day of the educationally focused conversation

Lead providers should provide, where relevant:

• a list of all ECF and/or NPQ delivery partners

• the main location of delivery partners, whether training is delivered in person or remotely and information on any specialist areas of the training they provide

• the number of early career teachers (ECTs) assigned to each delivery partner and each ECTs phase (for example, primary or secondary)

• the number of NPQ participants on each course

• the number of NPQ participants assigned to each delivery partner

• information about any training for ECTs, mentors or NPQ participants during the week of the inspection.

• general information, such as key staff members names and responsibilities, office locations and practical arrangements, for example about travel, to allow for effective and efficient planning

How to submit the information

You should submit the information securely through the lead provider portal. We will provide instructions on how to access the portal when we notify you of the inspection.

Information that lead providers must provide by the start of the inspection or LPMV

Any pre-existing evidence of:

• information about the ECF and/or NPQ training curriculum, including an overview of the training calendar with start dates and planned end dates

• information about the mentor training curriculum, including an overview of the training calendar

• programme handbooks or other similar information

• how lead providers gain an understanding of the experience and expertise of trainers and mentors

• how lead providers monitor the quality of aspects of the programmes delivered by the delivery partners

• the professional development and/or training provided for trainers/facilitators in delivery partners

• strategic oversight/governance processes

• self-evaluation and subsequent improvement planning

During the inspection

Full inspections will usually consist of four days of activity within the same week. LPMVs will usually consist of three days on site within the same week. The size of the inspection team may vary depending on several factors, such as the number of:

• delivery partners that the lead provider uses

• participants

• NPQ courses that the provider delivers

There may be exceptional occasions when we need to consider pausing an inspection. We will consider these on a case-by-case basis according to our published guidance on pausing inspections.

Inspectors will make their final judgements when they have collected and considered all the evidence.

The ECF and NPQ inspection handbook explains how we carry out inspections and the judgements that inspectors make for full inspections and LPMVs. It contains the grade descriptors that inspectors use when making their judgements, as well as more information on the main activities that our inspectors carry out.

Seeking the views of stakeholders

Inspectors will meet with a range of stakeholders during both LPMVs and full inspections. These include delivery partners, ECTs, mentors, school leaders and NPQ participants. Inspectors will work constructively with stakeholders in line with our code of conduct, demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect at all times. Staff (including leaders at all levels) may always be accompanied by another appropriate person when speaking to inspectors. However, it is important that staff can express their views freely to inspectors. Therefore, meetings with 