Ofsted Inspection Preparation Pack

Please note: this pack was last updated in May 2024 with updates to the website compliance checklist based on DfE guidance on what schools must publish on their website. Before that, the pack was updated in January 2024 in line with the latest updates to the Schools Inspection Handbook.

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