Get Ofsted Inspection Ready

Ofsted inspection can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to understand exactly what inspectors will ask about your specific leadership role. While generic preparation guidance helps, nothing beats having targeted support that addresses the precise questions and expectations facing you as a DSL, SENDCo, or other school leader.

That's why we've created focused pre-inspection bundles designed specifically for key leadership roles. Rather than wading through whole-school guidance trying to work out what's relevant to you, these streamlined packs translate the 2025 School Inspection Toolkit into practical preparation for your particular responsibilities.

What makes these role-specific bundles different?

Each bundle focuses exclusively on what matters for your role during inspection. You'll get clear explanations of when and how you'll engage with inspectors, realistic example questions to help you practise articulating your work, and readiness tools to evaluate your current provision against the toolkit criteria.

Building confidence without creating workload

The goal isn't to generate new evidence or create extra documentation. These resources help you organise and articulate the excellent work you're already doing, identify any gaps you might want to address, and feel genuinely prepared for inspection conversations.

If you're waiting for that Ofsted phone call and want role-specific support to feel confident and ready, explore the pre-inspection bundles designed with your leadership responsibilities in mind.

SENDCo

Before the Call:

• Review provision maps and ensure they show clear graduated response for pupils with SEND
• Audit EHCP quality of provision - be ready to discuss individual pupil progress and outcomes
• Gather evidence of parental engagement, particularly for pupils who aren't making expected progress
• Check your SEND information report is published online and accurately reflects current provision
• Prepare data showing progress for SEND pupils across different need types

For the Inclusion Conversation:

• Be ready to discuss 2-3 individual SEND pupils through case sampling approach
• Articulate how you've adapted teaching and provision to meet specific needs
• Have examples of successful multi-agency collaboration and where you've advocated for pupils
• Show how you monitor the quality of SEND provision and TA deployment
• Demonstrate how SEND pupils access the full curriculum, not a reduced offer

Attendance Lead and Champion

Before the Call:

• Analyse attendance data by vulnerable groups and be ready to discuss trends and interventions
• Review persistent absence cases - know which pupils, what barriers exist, and what you're doing
• Audit the quality of your attendance improvement plans for individual pupils
• Prepare evidence of how you've engaged families and removed barriers to attendance
• Check your attendance policy reflects your actual practice and graduated response

For Attendance Discussions:

• Be ready to discuss individual pupils with poor attendance through case sampling
• Articulate how you've balanced support with challenge for families
• Show how you've used legal interventions appropriately and what impact they've had
• Demonstrate how you monitor the effectiveness of attendance interventions
• Explain how you've created a culture where good attendance is valued and celebrated

Further packs for other roles can be found here.