Ofsted inspection: role of link governors and trustees

If you're a link governor or trustee, Ofsted inspectors won't formally assess your role. If you do speak to them, here's how you can demonstrate that you're effectively monitoring your school or trust.

Last reviewed on 6 February 2024
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 4035
Contents
  1. Inspectors will want to meet as many governors or trustees as possible
  2. Ofsted won’t ask to meet link governors specifically
  3. Be ready to explain how you monitor your area
  4. More resources for link governors

Thanks to Gulshan Kayembe, 1 of our associate education experts, for her help with this article.

Inspectors will want to meet as many governors or trustees as possible

Though link governors aren't mentioned directly in the School Inspection Handbook, it does state that schools should invite as many governors or trustees as possible to meet with inspectors during the inspection process. These meetings can include a virtual option such as a video or telephone call if necessary (paragraph 23). 

Ofsted won’t ask to meet link governors specifically

However, they’ll probably ask if any governors/trustees they do meet have link roles. 

If your board has link governors, inspectors might look for evidence (e.g. in meeting minutes or visit reports) that these link governors are involved and active. Remember, link governors are a way of monitoring the school/trust, so inspectors will want to see that they're fulfilling their roles.

If given the