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Ofsted glossary for governors

Do you know your graded inspection from your ungraded inspection? There's a lot of jargon involved in the world of Ofsted. Read our definitions and use our handy download to get up to speed.

Last reviewed on 5 November 2024See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 34771
Contents
  1. Key documents
  2. Inspectors' roles 
  3. Types of inspection
  4. Judgements
  5. Other inspectorates
  6. Downloadable version

Key documents

The Education Inspection Framework

Document that sets out the overarching principles that Ofsted inspectors apply to their inspections for all school types. It includes the categories that inspectors will judge schools against.

The School Inspection Handbook

Document that accompanies the framework, focusing on how the principles will apply when inspecting maintained schools and academies. It covers graded, ungraded and urgent inspections and tells schools how inspectors will arrive at their judgements. If you read this document, you'll know exactly what to expect on the day.

The School Monitoring Handbook

Document that sets out Ofsted's approach to monitoring schools:

  • In a category of concern (see more below), that is:

    • With serious weaknesses, or
    • In special measures

  • Graded as 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate' for at least 1 of the 4 key judgements in their most recent graded inspection

It also sets out how inspectors will monitor to identify whether the school is making sufficient progress to improve.

Lead inspector One person is assigned to be