°ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp

Skip to content
Back
Ofsted inspection

Ofsted inspection: deferring & pausing

Find out how decisions to defer or pause an Ofsted inspection are made and what role governing boards have.

Guidance
25/04/2024

UPDATE: The school inspection and accountability system is currently being reformed. Routine inspections will be paused during the autumn term while Ofsted pilots a new inspection framework and report cards. We expect to see a phased return to inspections from November under the new framework.

Changes are also planned to how the government supports underperforming schools, with new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams.

We’re working on updating our Ofsted resources to ensure °ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp members are informed throughout these developments.

for considering whether to defer or pause an inspection sets out the processes that inspectors should follow. In most instances, this involves a decision about whether an inspection should go ahead on the planned dates and/or within the planned timescales.

The policy includes new guidance on pausing an Ofsted inspection where, for example, the headteacher requires additional support due to concerns about their wellbeing.

°ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp has worked with Ofsted to produce guidance for governing boards that explains how and when such decisions are made. The guidance covers:

  • chairs supporting headteachers during inspection
  • circumstances where Ofsted could potentially grant a deferral
  • how requests to defer an inspection are made
  • circumstances that may lead to pausing an inspection
  • the process for pausing an inspection

Member-only content

Want to read this?

Become a member

°ÅÀÖÊÓƵÏÂÔØapp members get exclusive access to hundreds of practical resources including guidance, checklists and planners.

We’re here to support you at every stage of your governance journey with expert advice, training, events, and much more.

Learn more

Already a member?

Log in

Related content