Ofsted Phone Call Preparation Pack

Fully aligned with 2025 Ofsted School Inspection Toolkit changes, this comprehensive pack provides answers to the key Ofsted phone call questions you have and includes everything you need to feel confident and prepared when the Ofsted notification call arrives, including new timing expectations and the enhanced planning call process.

You'll get:

☑️ Process of the Ofsted Phone Call PDF guide covering what happens during both the notification call and the new structured 90-minute planning call, including the three distinct parts inspectors will guide you through, the role of the nominee and what inspectors are likely to ask. The guidance contains reflective questions and structured support to help you consider your school's unique context and to build your confidence for when you do get the phone call.

☑️ Example Ofsted Phone Call Questions template featuring realistic questions based on the 2025 framework to help you practise and prepare responses with your senior leadership team

☑️ Ofsted Phone Call Crib Sheet with space for you to prepare all key figures, contact details and essential information you'll need at your fingertips when the Ofsted phone call does arrive

☑️ Notification List template helping you quickly inform all stakeholders, including governors, trust leaders and school improvement advisors, immediately after receiving the call

☑️ What to Do During and Following the Phone Call checklist covering staff briefing and logistical arrangements for inspection day

☑️ Ofsted Folder Checklist for ensuring you have all necessary documentation easily accessible, from safeguarding records to curriculum evidence

☑️ Ofsted Inspection Responsibilities List allowing you to delegate tasks clearly amongst your team so everyone knows their role

All templates are fully editable so you can adapt them for your school's specific context.

This pack is essential for headteachers, deputy heads and senior leadership teams anticipating an Ofsted inspection or wanting to be thoroughly prepared for when the call arrives. It's particularly valuable for leaders who haven't experienced an Ofsted phone call before and those wanting to get a handle on the updated inspection phone call process under the 2025 framework.

School business managers, school admin teams, governing body chairs and trust executives will also find the notification templates and responsibility lists invaluable for coordinating their response to inspection news.

This pack is essential for any school leader who wants to transform inspection anxiety into confident preparation, ensuring they can focus on representing their school effectively rather than worrying about logistics.

This comprehensive pack helps you tackle the most common challenges leaders face when preparing for Ofsted contact:

"What exactly will the inspector ask during the planning call?" The detailed breakdown of the three-part planning call structure shows you exactly what to expect, from well-being checks to contextual discussions about your school's strengths and priorities.

"How do I prepare for questions about our vulnerable pupils?" The case sampling guidance explains exactly which pupils inspectors will want to discuss and what evidence they'll examine, helping you prepare relevant information about your inclusion work.

"What should I do immediately after the notification call?" The step-by-step post-call checklist ensures you inform all stakeholders promptly, brief staff appropriately, and make necessary practical arrangements without missing crucial steps.

"How can I keep essential information handy during the call?" The crib sheet template provides space for all key figures and contact details, preventing those blank moments when you can't recall important statistics under pressure.

"Who needs to know about the inspection and when?" The notification list covers everyone from governors to school improvement partners, ensuring consistent communication across all stakeholders.

The following resources can help you if Ofsted preparation is on your mind.

Ofsted Inspection Preparation Pack

Already including this phone call preparation pack, this complete toolkit covers all evaluation areas with detailed audit templates, self-evaluation frameworks, and evidence-gathering tools to support your ongoing school improvement work.

Safeguarding Ofsted Toolkit Updates Pack

Delve into the 2025 changes affecting safeguarding evaluation, including updated DSL responsibilities and new areas of focus during inspections.

Leadership and Governance Ofsted Toolkit Update Pack

Comprehensive guidance on how leadership evaluation has evolved, including new expectations around well-being support, contextual challenges, and governance effectiveness.

You can view a preview of the full pack here: Ofsted Phone Call Preparation Pack Preview