Ofsted’s renewed inspection framework, introduced in November 2025, represented a major shift in how schools are inspected, with a new methodology, revised evaluation areas and the introduction of the report card approach. Since then, schools and trusts have been working to understand what these changes mean in practice and how to prepare proportionately for inspection.
Further September 2026 updates to the inspection toolkits and inspector guidance are now shaping how the framework is being applied during the 2026/27 academic year. For school leaders, the challenge is to understand both the original framework changes and the latest refinements, and to translate them into confident, practical preparation.
This full-day masterclass is designed to help school leaders get to grips with the current Ofsted inspection landscape. Throughout the day, delegates will explore the framework and methodology, the report card-style judgement system, and the key expectations inspectors are applying across leadership, governance, inclusion, curriculum, teaching, achievement, behaviour, attendance, personal development and wellbeing.
The masterclass will also focus on practical preparation for the initial Ofsted call, including how to demonstrate impact clearly through evidence, professional conversations and everyday school practice. With inclusion embedded as a golden thread throughout the renewed framework, delegates will consider what whole-school responsibility for inclusion looks like, including the focus on SEND, disadvantaged pupils, attendance, belonging and equity.
By the end of the day, delegates will have reviewed the key inspection areas, reflected on their own school’s readiness, and developed clear next steps to support proportionate preparation. The session will help leaders move beyond inspection anxiety and build a practical action plan that supports confidence, clarity and school-wide readiness without creating unnecessary workload.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Headteachers, Deputy Heads, Assistant Heads and all other members of the SLT
KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This masterclass session will enable you to:
Understand the major changes introduced through Ofsted’s renewed inspection framework in November 2025
Explore how the September 2026 updates are refining inspection practice for the 2026/27 academic year
Get to grips with the current framework, methodology and report card approach
Understand how inspections are being carried out and how schools are being evaluated
Prepare yourself and your team for the initial Ofsted call
Understand how to demonstrate impact through evidence, documentation, conversations and everyday practice
Examine how inclusion is embedded as a golden thread throughout the renewed framework
Consider expectations around SEND, disadvantaged pupils, equity, attendance and belonging
Understand how curriculum, developing teaching and achievement are reviewed under the updated arrangements
Explore expectations around leadership and governance, behaviour and attitudes, attendance, personal development and wellbeing
Identify practical steps to support inspection readiness without increasing staff anxiety or workload
Develop an action plan to take back to your school or trust
FACILITATOR
Matt Bromley is an education writer and advisor with over twenty years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as a secondary school headteacher and principal, FE college vice principal, and MAT director. He is a public speaker, trainer, and school improvement lead, and a primary school governor. He remains a practising teacher, currently working in secondary, FE and HE settings. Matt writes for various newspapers and magazines, is the author of numerous best-selling books on education, and co-hosts the awardwinning SecEd podcast. He regularly speaks at national and international conferences and events, and he delivers teacher-training
