Ofsted inspections

Specialist legal advice on Ofsted inspections

Have you found cause for concern with an Ofsted inspection and would like to raise a complaint? Have you had any issues with the way Ofsted has inspected your provision or setting? If so, you should contact us as soon as possible, even when the inspection process is underway. Well-founded representations can be made while the inspectors are still on site.

An Ofsted inspection can be a stressful experience for academies and schools, even when the vast majority of inspections are conducted without any issues.

We provide a high-quality service expertly underpinned by our in-depth knowledge of the inspection handbooks and inspection framework. We can work with you to ensure that your concerns are evidence-based and well-presented to Ofsted.

We can also assist schools and academies with their preparation for inspection by providing template pupil facing policies which can be adapted for individual schools and academy trusts (available individually or as a bundle package), conducting reviews of single central registers and also, providing bespoke training or e-learning via our VWV Plus innovative training solutions.

Post inspection, where a school or academy may be eligible for intervention, our expert lawyers can advise on the strategic options available to a school or trust and if requested, assist with making representations to the Regional Director.

'For more advice about schools eligible for intervention, please contact Yvonne Spencer on 0207 665 0870.

How can we help?

Our team of experienced education lawyers can provide a comprehensive legal service when it comes to helping you plan for inspection or in dealing with the aftermath of an unfavourable inspection. Our specialist support includes:

Planning for inspection

• We can provide high quality pupil policy templates (available individually or as a bundle. package) which can be easily adapted for use in your academy or maintained school.
• Bespoke training for your staff, trustees and governors on a range of topics including mandatory safeguarding training, safer recruitment and single central register maintenance.
• VWV Plus digital solutions, including e-learning modules and policy tracker.

Challenging Ofsted inspections

• Drafting urgent on-site representations for you to present to the Ofsted inspectors.
• Post-inspection complaints following Ofsted's three step complaints procedure.
• Tactical advice and representation in the event that 'last-resort' Judicial Review proceedings are necessary.

Communication with parents and stake-holders

• We can advise on your communication on inspection outcomes with parents, regulators and the media.

Schools eligible for intervention

From September 2022, schools and academies may be eligible for intervention if the school’s overall effectiveness at its most recent Ofsted inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 was ‘Requires Improvement’ (RI) and the school’s overall effectiveness was also below Good at the inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 immediately before the most recent inspection. A school will also be eligible for intervention if it has been judged 'Inadequate'.

In these circumstances, our lawyers can advise on the options available, as well as the content of representations to the relevant Regional Director before a decision is taken as to whether intervention and further support are necessary. 

Please contact our partners Chloe Brunton on 0117 314 5301 or Jaime Hobday on  0121 227 3703 in our Academies team.