This brief guidance is designed for school leaders to use during a live inspection if concerns start to arise about how the inspection is progressing. There is also a printable PDF version of this content available to download.

Concerns during an inspection can take many forms, but could be related to:

• the conduct and behaviour of individual inspectors or the inspection team 
• a lack of clear communication by inspectors
• a sense that inspectors are not engaging properly with the evidence you are showing them
• indications that inspectors have a predetermined view, do not understand your school’s context, or are relying on unrepresentative or atypical evidence.

NAHT’s advice is always to deal with concerns as they arise – don’t save issues up. It’s easier to help an inspector to refine their view as they are forming it than when they have made a judgement.

Raise any concerns you have with the inspection team as soon as possible.

Concerns and complaints are more likely to be satisfactorily resolved if raised during the inspection and before the final feedback meeting. Do not wait until after the inspection or until you receive the draft report to raise a concern or complaint. 

Raising a concern – take a measured approach

• Speak to the lead inspector at the earliest opportunity. In many cases, this will lead to a resolution – we recommend giving the lead inspector a very short bullet point note of the concerns at this stage, and would also recommend that you keep this as evidence of what was raised and also keep a note of the inspector’s response.
• If the issue relates to the conduct and behaviour of inspectors, it might be helpful to refer to Ofsted’s Code of Conduct and to be clear about the way the inspector(s) in question is not adhering to this
• If the problem cannot be resolved, set out the issue on headed notepaper in brief bullet points. Ask for a meeting with the lead inspector, hand them your note and have a witness to record any comments.
• The inspector should pause to consider your complaint and respond to it. They may seek advice from senior HMI at Ofsted.

Managing interactions 

• Be professional and firm – think informal, low-key, positive and non-accusatory.
• Be clear about what your challenge is and provide more evidence as the inspection is happening.
• Think about what you are trying to achieve by raising a concern or complaint with an inspector, and be clear about the resolution that you are seeking. If your concern is about an inspector’s conduct, try to depersonalise your complaint as much as is possible.     

If the problem persists, it may be appropriate to request that the inspection be formally paused, particularly where there are serious conduct issues and/or where the relationship with an inspector or the inspection team has broken down. View Ofsted’s pause policy. 

We also advise that you contact Ofsted directly using the telephone number provided to you at notification. Ofsted’s guidance states that ‘if leaders cannot resolve their concerns with the lead inspector during the inspection’, they can contact a senior Ofsted leader using the number provided as part of the notification process.

What if I feel uncomfortable raising issues with the inspection team?

If you do not feel comfortable raising your concerns with the lead inspector, the best course of action is to contact Ofsted directly using the phone number provided to you at notification.

How can NAHT support me?

Your union is here to support you, but the short duration and intense time pressures of inspection often make direct contact difficult. 

If you need assistance, you can get in touch using the forms below:

You call also our specialist advice team on 0300 30 30 333 – say it is a ‘live inspection’ to help our triage system – you may get straight through to an adviser. If not, leave a message, email address and mobile number. Or email the team putting ‘LIVE INSPECTION’ in the subject line – we will send you a pack of easy-to-access information immediately and also call you in case you’re able to speak – but if that’s not possible given the pressure of the day, you will be able to read the short pack of information ‘on the go’. The email address for the advice team is specialistadvice@naht.org.uk. 

Please indicate any times when it might be possible to contact you – the problem with inspection is advisers often call back but can’t get leaders who are tied up with inspectors – but as noted above, if we can’t get through to you we will send you an email with full information included so you can read it ‘on the go’. 

During the inspection itself, there is a limit to what NAHT can do. For example, we are not able to challenge decisions around grading when an inspection is live, but we may be able to help in situations where relationships have broken down completely between the school and the inspection team. If this happens, you can contact our specialist advice team on the number above.

Can NAHT help me to make a formal complaint?

Yes. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your inspection, NAHT can assist you in making make a formal complaint. Find out more information about drafting and submitting a complaint. Simply email specialistadvice@naht.org.uk for assistance, including your name, school and contact details with ‘Ofsted Complaint’ as the subject, and the team will get back to you. Please get in touch with us as soon as you can so we can help you in good time, as a complaint must be lodged within five days of receipt of the draft report.

NAHT can also broker initial free legal advice from Browne Jacobson for members. This is accessed via our regional teams.

NAHT is currently gathering feedback on our members’ experience of inspections. If you have recently been inspected, please share your experience with us here. 

What if I am concerned for the health and well-being of either myself or my staff?

All NAHT members can access a dedicated, confidential counselling and support helpline on 0800 917 4055 provided by Education Support. Open 24/7, it is staffed by qualified counsellors and offers you emotional and practical support. Inspections can be stressful, as can looking after the well-being of your team.

NAHT and Education Support have also developed a toolkit to help school leaders maintain a healthy mind and culture during periods of challenge such as inspections, including practical exercises, tools and tips. 

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to any of your team members, you should take it seriously immediately. You do not need to diagnose or be sure – concern alone is enough to act. Arrange a one‑to‑one conversation in a private space. Use calm, non‑judgemental language.

You might ask:

• How have you been feeling recently?
• Is there anything you’d like support with?

Do not promise confidentiality if you believe there may be a risk to their safety – you may need to call 999, for example, if you are particularly concerned.

It is appropriate to ask:

• Are you thinking about harming yourself or ending your life?

Asking does not increase risk, and it may help the person feel understood. If the answer is yes or the person responds in a way that doesn’t put your mind at rest, treat this as urgent.

If you believe the employee is at immediate risk:

• Stay with them or ensure someone trusted is present
• Call 999 if there is imminent danger
• Consider contacting their GP or advising them to attend urgently
• Call NHS 111 if you need guidance on next steps.

Your priority is ensuring they access professional help promptly.

When you have dealt with the immediate crisis, seek support from HR, your trust or the local authority where appropriate. Do not manage the situation alone. These situations can be emotionally difficult. Please seek support yourself if needed, whether from a senior colleague, HR or an external service.

Clearly, key members of staff (or indeed you) may become so unwell that they need to leave the setting and seek immediate medical attention – if there is any risk to their health, this must take priority. If this happens during the inspection, you (or someone on your behalf, if you become unwell) should alert the inspection team and request that the inspection is paused. The background to making this request can be found here.

For more general advice about Ofsted inspections, see NAHT's Ofsted update, which contains FAQs reflecting our understanding of how Ofsted is operating its new approach to inspection.