Reducing Ofsted Anxiety - Practical Tips for School Leaders

In the first week of September 2024, school leaders were greeted with changes to Ofsted's procedures, including the removal of giving each school an overall grading such as outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate.

While this news may be a relief to many school staff (and while Ofsted suggest they're taking further steps to improve their procedures), the simple fact is that for many, the thought of an Ofsted inspection still causes anxiety, stress and a great deal of worry.

So what can school leaders practically do to reduce anxiety about Ofsted? We explore a range of suggestions in this blog.

 

 

1. Remind yourself of your vision, values and mission for your school's pupils

The vast majority of school staff want to give the pupils in their care the very best experiences, opportunities and outcomes that they possibly can. School leaders are no different but when the responsibility of pupil outcomes falls upon your shoulders, it can be easy to get lost in a Ofsted-focused haze. 

You might find yourself saying, "I need to do this because Ofsted will want to see it," or "We'll do this because it'll look good for Ofsted." By doing so, your pupils and their actual needs get consumed by what you think Ofsted will need. 

However, most inspectors will tell you that getting the best outcomes for your pupils is their goal too. Ofsted repeatedly state they, "aim[s] to improve lives by raising standards in education and children's social care." So if your goals and Ofsted's goals are aligned, stop worrying about what Ofsted might need and instead focus on what your pupils do need. 

You can try:

• Adding a display in your office that celebrates pupil successes to keep their needs front of mind.
• Revisiting your school's vision regularly by keeping a copy visible on your desk or wall.
• Jotting down one daily reminder about why you became a school leader and how you’re helping pupils.
• Keeping pupil progress data handy, focusing on long-term outcomes rather than inspection pressures.
• Taking a moment each week to reflect on a recent pupil success story that showcases impact.

 

2. Keep your staff focused on your vision and values, not Ofsted

It's easy for staff to feel overwhelmed by Ofsted, especially if they're early in their own leadership journey like many subject leaders are. It also doesn't help you that the narrative nationally around Ofsted tends to be very critical, further amplifying concerns that staff may have about inspection.

However, as a school leader, it's your role to keep all of your staff focused on your school's vision and goals for your pupils, which (hopefully) don't include 'doing it for Ofsted'. When everyone is focused on the same goals, the stress of inspections fades into the background.

You can try:

• Framing every initiative or decision around how it benefits pupils and aligns with your mission (without mentioning the O-word!)
• Regularly revisiting your vision in staff briefings, making it the centre of all discussions.
• Using visual reminders around the school that reinforce your values, such as posters or displays.
• Sharing positive examples of how staff actions have brought your school’s values to life.
• Encouraging staff to challenge ‘Ofsted talk’, redirecting conversations back to pupil outcomes.

But what if you accidentally fall back into the trap of making Ofsted your focus because of all the buzz around the upcoming changes?

 

3. Avoid the ongoing Ofsted commentary

While staying up to date with changes to the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and Schools Inspection Handbook is essential, getting caught up in the endless stream of negative chatter and horror stories, especially on social media, can do more harm than good. Constantly consuming this commentary only feeds anxiety and distracts from what really matters – your pupils.

You can try:

• Focusing on official updates and guidance from reliable sources (Psst!  We keep this blog up to date as soon as the EIF or School Inspection Handbook is updated and we avoid the rest of the speculation. If you subscribe to our newsletter, we'll let you know whenever it's updated.)
• Limiting your exposure to social media posts about Ofsted.
• Filtering news through a positive lens, sharing only what’s helpful with staff.
• Avoiding clock (or phone) watching and speculation about when your next inspection might be happening. For example, try to stop saying "We're due any day now," because in some schools, you could still be waiting months or even years for the next inspection to take place.
• Reminding yourself daily that your job is about pupils, not Ofsted stories.

4. Prepare yourself for the inspection process

While speculation and rumours should be avoided, preparing for what inspectors actually do need to see can be take a weight off your shoulders. By having clarity on expectations, you can go into the process feeling confident and focused on what truly matters – your school and pupils.

You can try:

• Understanding what takes place in the Ofsted Phone Call.
• Familiarising yourself with the inspection process, such as knowing the type of inspection you're likely to get and the things Ofsted will definitely look at (e.g. safeguarding). 
• Conducting internal reviews and audits to identify areas of strength and improvement.
• Having key documentation ready in advance, such as your SIP, SEF and safeguarding records, so there's no last minute rushing.
• Talking through your school to others, such as a colleague, mentor or your chair of governors. This can help to reassure you that you'll know the answers to simple questions when Ofsted do come. 

That being said, it can be hard to know where to start with the above. If you're looking for additional support around the phone call or inspection process, we've got resources available to support you.

 

5. Prepare your staff for the parts they'll need to know

Not every member of staff needs to know the ins and outs of an Ofsted inspection. By preparing key staff – such as subject leaders and your senior leadership team (SLT) – for the areas they’ll be involved in, you can avoid overwhelming the entire team.

For example, internal deep dives with subject leaders are a great way to build their confidence and understanding of the subject area they lead. Conversely, some teaching and support staff will benefit more from understanding what they'll be expected to do on the day itself.

You can try:

• Running internal deep dives for subject leaders to simulate the process they’ll face during an inspection and build their confidence in understanding what this entails.
• Ensuring your SLT know their areas of responsibility, including during and after the Ofsted phone call.
• Focusing training sessions on key staff, so not everyone is overwhelmed by information.
• Practising a calm, focused approach with your team, rehearsing key talking points around your school’s vision, strengths and next steps.
• Reassuring your staff that they don’t need to worry about every detail – just their role.

For further support with running internal deep dives, we've got multiple resources to help you. 

 

6. Don't forget about your governors

Governors play a key role in the strategic running of the school by holding its leaders to account, and their actions form part of the leadership and management judgement during Ofsted inspections. This means they need to have a solid understanding of the school’s strengths, challenges, and long-term progress and strategy. 

However, this preparedness for governors takes two forms: firstly, governors need to know the above information (which can sometimes be a challenge in itself!) and secondly, they need to understand the importance of speaking with Ofsted about it. 

You can try:

• Holding regular briefings with governors (such as during a full governing body meeting) to ensure they’re familiar with key priorities and data.
• Sharing the school’s vision and progress in a clear, digestible format for governors to refer to.
• Encouraging governors to ask questions about the school's performance, including areas of weakness, so they feel confident.
• Providing governors with information about their role during the inspection, outlining what they'll need to do or where they'll need to be.
• Nominating a governor to keep on top of changes to Ofsted's processes so that the burden of governance is shared and everyone can stay informed.

7. Ensure your website is a window into what your school does

Not only does your school website give a solid impression to parents, the community and others who aren't yet engaged with your school, but it also provides vital information to Ofsted. Some of this information is statutory to share publicly, such as details of PE and Sports Premium funding usage, your complaints policy or information on school uniform.

Ensure you know what maintained schools and academies and FE colleges need to put on online to avoid any last minute panics, or worse, requests from Ofsted for information you haven't got to hand. 

Once you've done this, why not ask one of your governors to check that you've got everything you need on your website? It'll help them to better understand your school too. 

 

8. De-personalise the process

Ofsted inspections can often feel like a personal judgement, whether it's on your leadership or on the teaching 'ability' of your staff. To alleviate this pressure, it's important to remember that inspections are about the school as a whole and not about individual performance. De-personalising the process helps create a healthier mindset for both you and your staff.

You can try:

• Reminding yourself and your staff that Ofsted's role is to evaluate the school, not the individuals within it. 
• Remembering it's the efforts you've made over time that contribute to the outcomes for your pupils, not just what could happen on a one or two days during the inspection.
• Encouraging open discussions about the inspection process without the fear of blame or criticism.
• Viewing feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal critique.
• Emphasising that the goal is improving outcomes for pupils, not just satisfying inspectors.

9. Focus on the parts you can control

While you may have a rough idea of when Ofsted will visit, you can't control precisely when they'll come, even if you hear others saying Ofsted are "in the area" or if you've had increased traffic to your website.

 

 

This means that clock and phone watching not only raises your worry levels but can also waste your precious time.

Similarly, there will be factors outside of your control within school, such as a member of staff leaving or unexpected other issues. Remember, the key is knowing that you can respond when it happens, rather than imagining what you'll do if it happens. Be mindful that your staff should be doing the same.

You can try:

• Identifying key actions that you can take, both when the unexpected happens and in preparation for it, such as staff succession planning or risk management.
• Encouraging your staff to focus on their teaching and classroom management, where they have the most influence.
• Regularly communicating with your team about preparations that are within your control.
• Creating a flexible action plan that can adapt as new information comes in, keeping your focus steady.
• Finding ways that work for you to stay grounded, whether these are in school or at home. 

 

10. Accept that inspection outcomes can help you

While inspections can feel stressful, viewing the outcomes as opportunities for growth can shift your perspective. Each inspection provides valuable feedback that can guide your school’s improvement and development, as well as reminding you of all the fantastic work you're doing to help your pupils to thrive.

You can try:

• Reflecting on other forms of feedback objectively, reminding yourself that these are to help you to improve pupils outcomes and that Ofsted feedback is no different.
• Using past inspection reports as a tool to celebrate strengths and identify areas for development.
• Sharing success stories from previous inspections to show how outcomes have positively influenced your school.

 

By focusing on these practical strategies, you can reduce Ofsted-related anxiety and foster an environment centred on the success of your pupils. Remember, inspections are not just about compliance; they're an opportunity to reflect, grow, and showcase the amazing work happening in your school every day. With a united team and a clear vision, you can navigate the pre-inspection process with confidence, ensuring that your primary focus remains where it belongs – on delivering the best outcomes for your pupils.