Routine Ofsted inspections in autumn 2021: impact of COVID-19

Last reviewed on 8 July 2021
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 39194

Ofsted will restart routine inspections in September 2021 for all school types and grades. See how inspectors will consider the impact of COVID-19 alongside the usual procedures.

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Contents

  1. Process remains largely the same, but with extended inspection intervals
  2. Inspectors will take COVID-19 into account
  3. During the preparation call
  4. When evaluating your school's curriculum
  5. When evaluating your school's leadership
  6. When evaluating personal development
  7. Considering safeguarding and attendance
  8. Looking at external data
  9. Disapplication and modification of the EYFS

Process remains largely the same, but with extended inspection intervals

Following a phased return to inspection this year, Ofsted will restart routine, graded inspections in September 2021, and will in the main follow the usual procedures:

  • If your school is 'good' or 'outstanding', it will get a section 8 inspection lasting 2 days
  • If your school 'requires improvement', it will be re-inspected under section 5 and may also be monitored if it receives 2 or more successive ‘overall effectiveness’ judgements of 'requires improvement'
  • If your school offers early years provision or is a maintained nursery school, Ofsted will inspect this as part of its regular inspection
  • If your school is a non-association independent school, Ofsted's handbook sets out the process

The guidance below applies to maintained schools, academies, early years provision and non-association

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