Gathering evidence from pupils to find out about their experience of school is an essential part of any school inspection. Inspectors should read this guidance together with the schools handbook or the non-association independent schools handbook as appropriate.
Updated terminology to ensure consistent use across Ofsted guidance and handbooks, and to represent current practice more faithfully. Added clarification on the processes that inspectors should follow. Language and guidance aligned with other Ofsted documents.
Updated to clarify that if inspectors cannot corroborate safeguarding evidence by talking to pupils, safeguarding will be judged ineffective and the relevant independent school standards judged as not met.
First published.