How Ofsted inspects governance

Last reviewed on 31 March 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 35415

Learn how Ofsted inspects governance under the 2019 inspection framework, and what your role is on inspection day.

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Contents

  1. The impact of COVID-19
  2. Governance is inspected as part of ‘leadership and management’
  3. What inspectors are looking for
  4. Evidence inspectors will use
  5. Governors’ role on inspection day
  6. How governance is inspected if you’re in a MAT
  7. Grade descriptors

The impact of COVID-19

Ofsted will take into account the disruption caused by COVID-19 when making judgements, and inspectors will seek to understand the specific impact of the pandemic on your school community.

See paragraphs 7 to 36 of the School Inspection Handbook for more detail.

Governance is inspected as part of ‘leadership and management’

Ofsted inspectors assess governance as part of the overall judgement on ‘leadership and management’.

There isn’t a separate judgement or grading for governance, but inspectors will include a section on governance in the inspection report.

What inspectors are looking for

Understand their role and carry it out effectively Make sure the school has a clear vision, ethos, and strategic direction Make sure resources are well managed Hold executive leaders (the headteacher or CEO, for example) to account for educational performance and the performance management of staff Oversee the financial performance of the

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