Ofsted Inspection Preparation Pack

Please note: this pack was last updated on 25th October 2024 based on the DfE changes to what maintained schools and academies should publish online. Before that, it was updated in September 2024 in line with the School Inspection Handbook updates. If you purchase the pack, we will email you each time a critical update is made and you may re-download it completely free of charge.

This comprehensive guidance pack with accompanying templates is designed to help you navigate your school improvement journey and ensure you and your team are prepared for an upcoming Ofsted inspection. The pack includes detailed information and resources on action planning and improvement as well as guidance on the pre-Ofsted inspection phone call and background preparation plus an extensive range of audits to ensure compliance.

When you make your purchase, you'll receive a ZIP file containing the whole pack, including:

• A 107-page PDF in full colour containing all the guidance, research and information you need.
• A low-colour, print-friendly version of the same pack.
• 57 fully editable and easy-to-use templates that can be adapted for your setting. These include:

1. Self-Evaluation Form (SEF)
2. Post Ofsted Action Plan
3. Ofsted Grade Descriptor Grids
4. School Improvement Plan (SIP/SDP)
5. School Improvement Plan Checklist
6. Ofsted Phone Call Crib Sheet
7. Pre-Inspection Documentation Checklist
8. Example Ofsted Phone Call Questions
9. Notification List
10. Ofsted Folder Checklist
11. Ofsted Inspection Responsibilities List
12. Staff Story
13. Isolation, Suspension and Exclusion Log
14. Behaviour Log
15. Bullying, Discriminatory and Prejudiced Behaviour Log
16. Concern Log
17. Safeguarding Referrals Log
18. Open Cases with Social Care or Children’s Services Log
19. Sexual Harassment and/or Violence Records
20. Physical Intervention Records
21. Example Ofsted SENDCo Questions
22. SEND Folder Checklist
23. SEND Audit
24. SEND Self-Evaluation Form
25. SEND Action Plan
26. Pupil Premium Information Log
27. Looked-After Children Information Log
28. Persistent Absentee Log
29. Off-Rolling Log
30. Attendance Follow-Up Log
31. Individual Attendance Audit
32. Individual Attendance Plan 
33. Attendance Strategy
34. CPD Plan and Cycle
35. CPD Survey
36. Pupil, Parent, Staff and Governor Question Bank, with over 600 different questions to gather stakeholder views.
37. Headteacher’s Report to Governors
38. Annual Safeguarding Report to Governors
39. Leadership and Management Audit 
40. Leadership and Management Action Plan
41. Quality of Education Audit
42. Quality of Education Action Plan
43. Mental Health and Wellbeing Audit
44. Mental Health and Wellbeing Action Plan
45. Behaviour and Attitudes Audit
46. Behaviour and Attitudes Action Plan
47. Personal Development Audit
48. Personal Development Action Plan
49. Equality and Diversity Audit
50. Equality and Diversity Action Plan
51. Safeguarding Audit 
52. Safeguarding Action Plan 
53. Policy Tracker
54. Website Compliance Checklist
55. Single Central Record Checklist
56. Safer Recruitment Checklist 
57. Pre-employment Checklist

Throughout the pack, we’ll explain concepts, guide your thinking and provide scaffolds so you can focus on adapting everything to the needs of your pupils and staff, saving your valuable time and allowing you to be confident and well-prepared for when that call comes through.

Headteachers, deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers and members of the senior leadership team wishing to develop their understanding of not only the Ofsted process, but also how to support your school improvement journey. 

If you’ve never experienced an Ofsted inspection in a leadership position or one under the Education Inspection Framework (EIF), or if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin, then this pack can support you throughout the preparation process. This pack is also suitable for experienced school leaders.

Wondering what an inspection or the pre-inspection phone call entails? Perhaps all the talk about it feels overwhelming and you aren’t sure where to begin? This pack will share valuable insights and resources that can help you to navigate the preparation for an inspection and your school improvement journey, improve the quality of education and services provided by your school, and stay up-to-date with the latest requirements and expectations from Ofsted.

 Key questions answered in this pack:

• What is a post-Ofsted action plan?
• What is a SEF?
• Why does Ofsted ask to see your SEF?
• When should the SEF be completed?
• What is a SIP?
• Who is involved in creating the SIP?
• When should the SIP be written?
• How do I structure my SIP?
• What Is the Difference between a SEF and a SIP?
• What can I expect when Ofsted call?
• What should I do following the Ofsted notification phone call?
• What can I expect during the call with the lead inspector?
• How can I prepare for the Ofsted phone call?
• What can I expect when Ofsted first call?
• When is the right time to inform staff and pupils about an Ofsted inspection?
• Why is it necessary to have documentation prepared for Ofsted?
• What documents do I need to have to-hand for Ofsted?
• What do Ofsted need to know about individual staff members?
• How will inspectors view suspensions and exclusions?
• What sort of judgement will inspectors make about safeguarding?
• What will inspectors look for with safeguarding?
• What safeguarding records will Ofsted inspect?
• What will Ofsted inspectors ask pupils and staff about safeguarding arrangements?
• What SEND records will Ofsted inspect?
• What will Ofsted ask about SEND?
• What is a pupil premium strategy?
• What information will Ofsted gather about pupil premium?
• What will Ofsted gather about looked-after children (LAC)?
• What attendance records will Ofsted inspect?
• What is off-rolling?
• How can off-rolling be prevented?
• How can attendance be improved?
• What performance management evidence will Ofsted view?
• What CPD records will Ofsted inspect?
• What will inspectors do to gather the views of parents, pupils and staff?
• How can I get a better understanding of parent, pupil and staff views?
• What is the role of an external advisor?
• What questions will governors be asked during an Ofsted inspection?
• How can I support governors to prepare for an Ofsted inspection?
• What is the purpose of an audit?
• How do I choose which area to audit?
• How do I prepare for an audit?
• How will Ofsted inspect leadership and management?
• How will Ofsted inspect the quality of education?
• How will Ofsted inspect behaviour and attitudes?
• How will Ofsted inspect personal development?
• How will Ofsted inspectors view mental health and wellbeing?
• How will Ofsted view equality and diversity?
• What do Ofsted expect to see on your school website?
• When should I check the school website?
• How can I ensure my school website is compliant and up to date?
• What is the single central record (SCR)?
• How do Ofsted inspect the single central record?
• Who should monitor the single central record?
• How can I ensure all necessary recruitment and safeguarding checks have taken place?

If you don't need the full pack, we've split the pack into smaller section which are available to purchase separately - ideal if you only want to focus on one or two particular sections. These can be found here:

• School Evaluation and Improvement Pack
• Ofsted Phone Call Preparation Pack
• Leadership and Management Audit
• Curriculum and Quality of Education Audit
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Audit
• Behaviour and Attitudes Audit
• Personal Development Audit
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Audit
• Safeguarding Audit
• SEND Audit
• Audits, Website Compliance and Recruitment Pack (contains all the audits in the above packs, plus extras on compliance and recruitment)

We also have an EYFS Deep Dive and Evaluation Audit Bundle and a range of subject Deep Dive Packs

Yes! You can view a preview of the entire pack plus the associated templates here: Ofsted Inspection Preparation Pack Preview