School inspection: toolkit, operating guides and information
Guidance for inspectors and schools on inspecting maintained schools and academies in England under the renewed education inspection framework, available for use from 10 November 2025.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Find guidance for school inspections in England:
- school inspection toolkit – what inspectors and schools use to discuss the quality of provision on inspection
- school inspection operating guide – a step-by-step guide for inspectors on how to inspect a school
- information about school inspections – for school staff and leaders, parents and carers and the wider public
- school monitoring operating guide – guidance for inspectors on how to monitor schools
This guidance will replace the school inspection handbook from 10 November 2025.
Education inspection framework
The education inspection framework explains why we inspect schools and other educational provision, including the legal requirements.
Updates to this page
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We have added the school monitoring operating guide for inspectors, for use from 10 November 2025. We’ve also clarified what is expected in terms of strong leadership and governance and clarified expectations for achievement and how it relates to attainment and progress in national tests in the state-funded schools inspection toolkit.
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First published.