A leaflet for parents and carers of children whose school is due for inspection.

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School inspections: a guide for parents

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School inspections: a guide for parents

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We are carrying out a phased return to inspection, starting with interim visits from September 2020.

The leaflet gives information on why, how long and when Ofsted inspects, and also how parents and carers can share their views.

It applies to:

  • all maintained schools including special schools and pupil referral units
  • academies
  • city technology colleges
  • city colleges for the technology of the arts
  • some non-maintained special schools in England

Review your child’s school on Ofsted Parent View.

Published 5 August 2014
Last updated 19 April 2021 + show all updates

  1. Updated details of how we will inspect schools that were judged to be outstanding at their last inspection and added a short section about inspection and the COVID-19 pandemic.

  2. Updated to reflect the education inspection framework (EIF).

  3. Updated to include privacy information under GDPR and to reflect inspection timescales: schools judged as requires improvement, having serious weaknesses or requiring special measures are re-inspected within 30 months while good schools are inspected approximately every 4 years.

  4. Updated to reflect Ofsted’s revised policy on short inspections and monitoring schools that require improvement.

  5. Minor update on schools causing concern to reflect changes in legislation.

  6. Updated for use from September 2015.

  7. The termly update to the main features of Ofsted’s school inspections.

  8. First published.