Here’s the lowdown on the 7 most significant changes to the Ofsted inspection guides that come into effect from September 2026…
1. Greater scrutiny of governance and trust oversight
The new Ofsted guide gives inspectors clearer expectations about engaging with:
- Governance professionals (clerks/governance leads)
- Chairs of trustees (or delegates)
- Trustees
- CEOs and trust leaders
There is a stronger emphasis on understanding how governance and delegated responsibilities operate in practice, particularly within MATs. This means that trustees and governing bodies should be prepared to explain their accountability structures, delegation arrangements, and how they assure themselves that policies are working effectively.
2. Safeguarding evidence requirements are strengthened
Inspectors are now explicitly directed to:
- Review safeguarding audits
- Examine safeguarding processes and how they are reviewed
- Discuss safeguarding more systematically with relevant leaders
This builds on the existing safeguarding scrutiny but makes the audit trail and self-evaluation process more prominent.
3. Alternative Provision (AP) becomes embedded in inspection conversations
The new guidance states that discussions with the DSL, SENCo, and other inclusion leaders should include consideration of any alternative provision used by the school.
The implication for schools using AP is that they’ll will need clearer evidence about:
- Why placements are used
- Oversight arrangements
- Safeguarding
- Reintegration plans
- Impact on pupil outcomes
4. Clearer expectations around off-rolling
The September 2026 guide adds clarification on:
- Ofsted’s definition of off-rolling
- What inspectors should do where off-rolling is suspected or identified
This is intended to improve consistency across inspections. The implication for schools is that any unusual pupil movement patterns, managed moves, AP placements, or curriculum changes affecting vulnerable pupils are likely to attract closer scrutiny.
5. Attendance recording to be challenged
A notable addition is guidance requiring inspectors to challenge leaders about:
- Established attendance recording patterns
- Any unusual practices
- The impact these may have on inspection judgments
The implication for schools is that attendance coding, persistent absence strategies, and recording practices will need to withstand more detailed questioning.
6. Equality considerations are made more explicit
The updated guide contains clearer direction about:
- Situations where equality duties must be considered
- How inspectors should take equalities issues into account during inspection
This sits alongside existing Equality Act requirements but provides more operational guidance for inspectors. The implication for schools is that leaders should be ready to demonstrate how equality, discrimination, harassment, and inclusion issues are identified and addressed.
7. More detailed guidance on learning walks
The September 2026 version clarifies:
- The purpose of learning walks
- How leaders may participate in joint activities
- What inspectors must do when evaluating reading
Reading evaluation is given particular prominence within learning walk activity. Schools should therefore expect greater consistency in how inspectors use learning walks, particularly when assessing reading provision.
Want more help with inspection? Buy the book…
Access free resources to help you with inspection…
