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Your guide to Ofsted's monitoring inspections

Find out when your school will be eligible for monitoring inspections, how often they'll happen and the process for moving out of a 'category of concern'. Plus, see a step-by-step guide for every type of monitoring inspection in the 2025 framework.

Last reviewed on 24 March 2026
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 46303
Contents
  1. Monitoring inspections are triggered by a full inspection outcome
  2. First, your school will receive an introductory monitoring programme call
  3. If your school is in a category of concern
  4. If your school is graded 'needs attention' 
  5. If you were placed in a category of concern before November 2025
  6. Urgent 'focused inspections' 

Monitoring inspections are triggered by a full inspection outcome

Your school will receive a monitoring inspection if you're graded below the 'expected standard' in 1 or more evaluation area – i.e. your school receives a grade of 'requires attention' or 'urgent improvement' in any area, or doesn't meet the safeguarding standards. See our summary of changes under the 2025 framework for full details of the grading system.

The type and frequency of monitoring inspection will depend on your school's outcome.

We explain how monitoring will work for each outcome in the sections below.

Some outcomes mean your school will be placed into a category of concern (select this link to view the flowchart below in an accessible format):

Ofsted flowchart

 

If you receive a grade of 'needs attention'