• Find a school inspection report
• Understanding a school inspection report
• Types of school Ofsted inspects
• Inspecting schools
  • Inspecting maintained schools
  • Inspecting independent schools
    • Before an independent school inspection
    • During an independent school inspection
    • After an independent school inspection
    • Main inspection documents for inspectors
  • Inspecting boarding and residential special schools
  • Inspecting initial teacher education
• Safeguarding children
• About our survey reports
• How to complain

During an independent school inspection

Here is what happens during a typical inspection.

Day 1

• The inspection team meets to confirm the inspection focus and discuss planning.
• The inspection team will meet with the headteacher and/or proprietor, pupils and key staff, including the Early Years Foundation Stage coordinator and head of boarding if appropriate.
• The lead inspector discusses the inspection with the headteacher and/or proprietor, including self evaluation and any inspection issues to be aware of such as staff absence. The lead inspector may request a tour of the school if this has not already taken place on the planning day.
• Pupils, parents, staff and where appropriate placing authority questionnaires are analysed.
• The inspection team plans lesson observations, reviews documents, meets staff, observes breaks and analyses questionnaires.
• The inspection team checks the premises.
• The inspection team feeds back to observed teachers.
• The inspection team has a team meeting; interim feedback is given to the headteacher and/or proprietor.
• The inspection team may start talking to children and young people who use boarding or residential facilities where the school has them. The inspection team may also observe the end of the school day, including the arrangements for taking pupils home.
• If requested, inspectors may also meet with parents.

Day 2

• In schools with boarding provision, the social care inspector is likely to observe the early morning arrangements for pupils.
• There is a short meeting with the headteacher and/or proprietor.
• The inspection team meets to confirm the arrangements for the day and continues with the inspection.
• The inspection team continues to observe lessons, review documents and speak to staff and pupils.
• The inspection team has a final meeting and covers key findings, evidence, judgements and prepares feedback.
• Feedback is given to the headteacher and/or proprietor. The lead inspector will make sure that the school understands the inspection findings and judgements..

General inspection activities

These include:

• lesson observations
• analysis of pupils’ work
• a look at school records and documentation
• analysis of parents’, pupils’ and, where relevant, local authority questionnaires if they fund places at the school.
• discussion with staff, pupils, governors/proprietor and, where appropriate, the school’s partners.

Progress monitoring inspections

If the school is having a progress monitoring inspection, the lead inspector will explain to the school that any regulatory failures will be reported to the Department for Education. If further regulatory failings are found since the school was last inspected, these will also be reported even if the school has address previous weaknesses.