Ofsted
Introduction
Ofsted inspects independent schools that are not members of associations. These are known as non-association independent schools. Independent schools that are members of associations are normally inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
Non-association independent schools can use this guide to help prepare when we notify them about an inspection, including timings, notice that we give, the process and what happens after the inspection.
Routine standard inspections
We inspect non-association independent schools at the direction of the Department for Education (DfE), which is the registration authority for all independent schools. The DfE can request that we inspect a non-association independent school at any time. Occasionally, the DfE may commission Ofsted to carry out an inspection of an independent school that is normally inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. In this guidance, an inspection commissioned by the DfE means an inspection that HMCI is directed to carry out by the Secretary of State.
A 3-year cycle of standard inspections of non-association independent schools (schools) began in January 2023. Standard inspections are carried out under our education inspection framework (EIF) and the Independent School Standards.
We will normally re-inspect schools judged to be requires improvement and inadequate in a standard inspection within 2 years. In addition, these schools may also receive a progress monitoring inspection before their next standard inspection.
We will normally re-inspect a school within 2 years if we were unable to make an overall effectiveness judgement at its most recent standard inspection due to there being no pupils on roll at the time.
When a school transfers from being inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate to being inspected by Ofsted, we will normally inspect it within 3 years of the Independent Schools Inspectorates most recent educational quality with focused compliance inspection.
We may bring forward a standard inspection of a school to update the schools graded judgements following an additional inspection. This may happen when:
- a requires improvement or inadequate school is judged at a progress monitoring inspection to meet all previously failed independent school standards
- a good or outstanding school is judged to no longer meet the independent school standards at an emergency or material change inspection
We inspect boarding provision of independent boarding schools every 3 years. There may be an aligned inspection if both the standard and boarding inspections are due at the same time.
We usually carry out an aligned inspection of independent residential special schools every 3 years. We also inspect their residential provision annually.
Inspections can take place at any point from 5 school days after the first day that pupils attend in the autumn term. For example, if pupils return to school on a Wednesday, inspection can take place as early as the following Wednesday.
A school can ask to defer or cancel an inspection, but only in exceptional circumstances. If pupils are receiving education in the school, an inspection will usually go ahead.
If a school requests a deferral of its inspection because there are no pupils on roll, and the DfE is already taking regulatory or enforcement action against the school, the inspection will not be deferred. In addition, if the inspection of a school has been deferred previously because there were no pupils on roll, it will not be deferred for a second consecutive time.
We charge schools a fee for each standard inspection that they receive.
Schools requesting an inspection
Unlike other schools inspected under the EIF, independent schools are not able to request an inspection outside of the usual inspection cycle, as set out above.
Who inspects schools?
School inspectors are:
- His Majestys Inspectors (HMI) employed directly by Ofsted
- social care regulatory inspectors employed directly by Ofsted
- contracted Ofsted Inspectors
Meeting the inspectors
For all types of independent schools inspections, inspectors will expect the proprietor(s) and the person(s) responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school to be present during the inspection.
Without meeting these individuals, inspectors may not be able to gather sufficient evidence in order to judge whether the school meets paragraph 34(1) of the independent school standards, which concerns the quality of leadership and management.
Staff (including leaders at all levels) may always be accompanied by an appropriate person when speaking to inspectors. However, it is important that staff are able to express their views freely to inspectors.
Conduct during Ofsted inspections
Ofsteds code of conduct outlines our expectations for 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 schools 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
For standard inspections, we will normally notify the school around lunchtime on the day before the start of the inspection. The inspection will typically start in the early afternoon of the following day.
We may also carry out standard inspections without notice. In these cases, we will not give the school notice. We carry out all progress monitoring and emergency inspections without notice.
In announced inspections, once we have informed the school of the inspection, the lead inspector will contact the school by telephone or video and ask to speak to the headteacher. This conversation with the headteacher will have 2 elements:
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a short inspection-planning conversation that focuses on practical and logistical issues
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a longer, reflective, educationally focused conversation about the schools progress since the last inspection, including how COVID-19 has affected this
We understand that there is a great deal of information to be discussed at this stage of the inspection. For this reason it may be helpful to discuss these elements in 2 or more separate conversations with a break in between. The lead inspector will discuss what will work best for the headteacher.
The inspection planning conversation will be short and focused on practical issues. This is an opportunity for the headteacher to provide a fuller context of the school that may not be expressed sufficiently through data alone. It is also an opportunity for the headteacher to discuss the particular circumstances of the school that have had a role in the decisions made by leaders.
As part of this conversation, the lead inspector will also ask the headteacher to inform inspectors about any requests for adaptations to the inspection process because of a protected characteristic, or any reasonable adjustments because of a disability. They will make the school aware of the help and support for headteacher and staff well-being that is available through the charity Education Support.
The educationally focused conversation will normally last around 90 minutes but may be longer. It will help the lead inspector and headteacher to establish a constructive professional relationship for the inspection and give them a shared understanding of the starting point of the inspection.
The lead inspector will encourage the headteacher to have at least one other senior leader present during both calls, to assist and support them. This will usually be staff who typically deputise for them and can understand and discuss the educational content of the calls.
Before the inspection begins
We provide schools with a letter to tell all parents of pupils at the school about the inspection and options for