Complain about an Ofsted inspection report

You can complain about an Ofsted inspection report if you’re a school, childcare provider or other institution inspected by Ofsted and you think there was a problem with:

  • the inspection process
  • how the inspection was conducted, for example the behaviour of an inspector
  • the outcome of the inspection, including the report

If you’re a parent or member of the public, contact the school or provider with your concerns about an inspection.

During the inspection

Speak to the lead inspector during the inspection about any concerns you have.

You can often resolve any issues before the report is drafted.

If you have a draft report

The letter you’ll get with the draft report will explain how you can raise issues with it before you get a final report.

If you have a final report

You must complain online within 5 working days of Ofsted sending you the final report to raise an issue with it. The date it was sent will be on the letter you get with the report.

Ofsted will delay publishing the report if you send your complaint in time.

If you cannot use the online form, contact the helpline.

Ofsted helpline
Telephone: 0300 123 1231
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

Read about how Ofsted handles complaints.

What happens next

You’ll get a written response, normally within 30 working days of Ofsted getting your complaint.

Ask for an ‘internal review’

You can ask Ofsted to review how it handled your complaint (known as an internal review) if you’re not happy with the response you get.

You must do this within 15 working days of the date on the original response you received.

You will know the outcome within 30 working days of you asking for a review.

If you’re still unhappy

You can ask Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted (ICASO) to review the case.

You must do this within 3 months of the date on Ofsted’s written response to the internal review.

ICASO cannot change the outcome of the complaint, but it can make recommendations to Ofsted.

If you’re an individual or a private organisation and you’re unhappy with ICASO’s review, you can also complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. They do not handle complaints from public organisations, for example state schools.