Section 8 inspections for 'good' and 'outstanding' schools

Last reviewed on 9 August 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 4907

Find out what happens during a section 8 inspection under the 2019 Ofsted framework, and what your role is as a governor.

Article tools

Contents

  1. Extended timings for the first inspection following COVID-19
  2. How formerly exempt 'outstanding' schools are inspected
  3. How 'good' schools are inspected
  4. Your role during inspection
  5. Before inspection
  6. During inspection
  7. Results

Extended timings for the first inspection following COVID-19

Due to a backlog of inspections caused by coronavirus, Ofsted has extended its inspection intervals for the first inspection after the pandemic.

Normally, your school would receive an inspection under section 8 approximately every 4 years - but this period will be extended by up to 6 terms for the first inspection after the pandemic.

For subsequent inspections, if your school continues to be 'good' or 'outstanding', it will receive a section 8 inspection approximately 4 years later.

Read more about Ofsted changes for September.

How formerly exempt 'outstanding' schools are inspected

Following the removal of the 'outstanding' exemption, Ofsted will begin carrying out inspections of 'outstanding' schools when routine inspections restart in autumn 2021.

Your school will now receive a section 8 inspection before 1 August 2026 if:

(If your school

Read next

Also in 'The inspection framework'