Contracted Ofsted inspectors for schools and further education and skills
Find out if you have the qualifications and experience to contract as an Ofsted inspector for schools or further education and skills.
Applies to England
If you have the necessary qualifications and experience, you might be able to contract with us as an Ofsted inspector, either as a lead or team inspector. You would then take part in inspections across England of:
- schools, including maintained schools, initial teacher education providers and independent schools
- further education (FE) and skills providers
Ofsted can enter such contracts under schedule 12, paragraph 11 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
We also have a permanent employed inspector workforce of His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs). There is separate guidance if you want to become an HMI.
Who can be a contracted Ofsted inspector
You can be a contracted inspector if you are:
You must not have been previously barred from being a proprietor or headteacher of a school under section 128 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.
We must also be satisfied that you are not connected with any inspection judgements or circumstances that may undermine your track record as an effective leader or credibility as an inspector.
Serving practitioners
You will be working in a provider that is inspected or regulated by Ofsted. That provider should have been rated good or better at its most recent inspection. For schools, this will be good or outstanding in the most recent inspection before September 2024.
We will also consider talented leaders currently working in providers that are less than good. You will need to show clear evidence that you have:
- previous experience of leading a provider that is good or better
- achieved sustained, measurable improvement at your current provider
Non-serving practitioners
You will be able to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge, practice and expertise in your sector.
You will not currently be working at a provider inspected or regulated by Ofsted. If you have previously worked at one or more, the last one you worked at should have been rated as good or better at its most recent inspection.
Qualifications and experience required: for schools
Your qualifications
You will need both of the following:
- to hold qualified teacher status (known as ‘QTS’) or a recognised teaching qualification
- to be educated to degree level or equivalent level 6
Your experience
In addition to the qualifications above, you will need:
- a minimum of 5 years’ successful teaching experience in the relevant remit
- a further minimum of 2 years’ successful and substantial management experience in the relevant area
- up-to-date knowledge and practice in the sector
Qualifications and experience required: for FE and skills
You will need qualifications in teaching, lecturing or training.
In addition, you will need:
- a minimum of 3 years’ successful teaching or training in your relevant specialism
- a minimum of 3 years’ successful curriculum development experience in your relevant teaching or training environment
- a minimum of 3 years’ management experience, including curriculum leadership, quality assurance and quality improvement
- up-to-date knowledge and practice in the provision type that you will inspect
Skills and competencies required
You must be able to:
- use evidence to form hypotheses and questions
- identify priorities
- use evidence and your knowledge to evaluate options and arrive at well-reasoned decisions
- weigh complex and conflicting evidence to reach robust judgements
- write clear, accurate records and reports that explain your judgements convincingly and accurately
Register your interest
If you believe you meet the above requirements, you can register your interest to contract as an Ofsted inspector.
Updates to this page
Published 19 January 2022Last updated 1 November 2024 + show all updates
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We have separated the required schools and further education and skills qualifications and experience.
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First published.