How Ofsted inspects sixth forms

Understand how Ofsted will inspect your school's sixth-form provision under the 2022 framework.

Last reviewed on 17 April 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 40816
Contents
  1. What inspectors will consider
  2. How inspectors will gather evidence
  3. Grade descriptors

As a governing board, you won't be inspected under Ofsted's judgement of your school's sixth-form provision. To find out how governance is inspected, read this article.

You don't need to know the information in this article in great detail, but understanding the basics could help you hold your school leaders to account and help you feel more confident during an Ofsted inspection.

Read this article to find out what questions inspectors might ask you.

This article is based on paragraphs 395 to 399 of the School Inspection Handbook

What inspectors will consider

Ofsted inspectors must grade the quality of your school's sixth-form provision and write a section in their report on its effectiveness.

The extent to which staff have high expectations for the achievement and progress of all students (including the most disadvantaged and those with high needs) The effectiveness of the systems staff use to monitor and develop the quality of sixth-form programmes How staff develop a