Pilot to bring more school leaders into inspections

Ofsted has announced a new pilot programme aimed at increasing the number of serving school and college leaders involved in school inspections.

The initiative will recruit groups of leaders drawn from their existing professional networks, such as multi-academy trusts, local authorities, dioceses and further education colleges. The move is designed to strengthen the mix of expertise already present on inspections, which currently combine full-time inspectors with contracted sector specialists.

The pilot will also introduce structured opportunities for these inspectors to collaborate and reflect on their experiences through the Ofsted Academy, creating what the watchdog describes as a professional community between contracted inspectors and full-time His Majesty’s Inspectors.

Announcing the scheme, Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted, said the programme would bring “more people in the sector inspecting the sector”. 

Participants recruited through the pilot will receive the same training and carry out the same inspection work as existing inspectors. Instead of a separate inspection fee, Ofsted will contribute to employers’ costs so staff can take part as part of their career development.

The first group began training in January and are currently shadowing inspections, with plans to join live inspections later this term. The pilot will run throughout 2026, with feedback used to shape future recruitment of inspectors. Ofsted is also exploring whether a similar model could be introduced for early years and social care inspections.