Governors Audit for Schools – Guidance (Effective from November 2025)

A comprehensive governance audit tool designed for schools preparing for the renewed Education Inspection Framework arriving in November 2025. This professionally structured document enables governing boards to evaluate leadership, safeguarding, curriculum, inclusion, behaviour, attendance and pupil achievement with clarity and precision. Built around the new five-point Ofsted grading scale and aligned with the updated School Inspection Operating Guidance, it provides a complete assurance framework for strategic oversight and inspection readiness.

Key Features

Complete Alignment with the 2025 EIF

• Fully mapped to the revised framework focusing on pupil achievement, curriculum coherence and leadership impact.

• Incorporates the latest Ofsted grading scale: Exceptional, Strong Standard, Expected Standard, Needs Attention and Urgent Improvement.
  

Evidence-Led Governance

• Clear guidance on triangulating evidence across data, work scrutiny, lesson visits and pupil voice.

• Emphasis on validity, reliability and impact rather than anecdotal information or tracking systems alone.
  

Structured Evaluation Sections

The audit includes five high-impact governance modules:

1. Strategic Leadership and EIF Readiness

2. Safeguarding Oversight

3. Quality of Education: Curriculum, Teaching and Achievement

4. Inclusion, Disadvantaged Pupils and SEND

5. Attendance, Behaviour and Pupil Culture
   Each section includes assurance questions, cross-referenced expectations and evidence prompts.
   

Practical Rating and Commentary Tools

• Five-point scale descriptors with clear benchmarks for attainment, progress and preparedness for next steps.

• Model commentary examples demonstrating strong evaluative practice.

• Ready-to-use improvement action templates with measurable success criteria.
  

Inspection-Ready Documentation

• Ensures governance minutes, strategic documents and statutory evidence are aligned and ready for Day 1 of inspection.

• Supports ongoing quality assurance cycles across the academic year.
  

Who This Is For

Ideal for:

• School governors

• Trustees

• Senior leaders

• Governance professionals

• Multi-Academy Trust oversight teams

Designed to support accurate, evidence-informed decision-making and high-quality governance in schools of all phases.

Why Schools Choose This Audit

• Provides complete, structured assurance aligned with Ofsted expectations.

• Strengthens governance confidence through a rigorous evidence-led approach.

• Supports strategic planning, self-evaluation and continuous improvement.

• Reduces workload by offering pre-built frameworks, checklists and prompts.

Product Format

• Digital downloadable document

• Fully editable template for use across individual schools or trusts

• Updated to reflect November 2025 Ofsted and DfE guidance

Elevate Governance Effectiveness

Equip your governing body with a high-quality, professionally structured audit tool that ensures clarity, compliance and strategic oversight. Prepare confidently for inspection and drive meaningful improvement in pupil achievement with this authoritative resource.