{"product_id":"ofsted-documents-schools-must-provide-checklist","title":"Ofsted Documents Schools Must Provide – Checklist","description":"\u003ch3\u003eNovember 2025 Edition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe inspection-ready before the call comes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis practical HeadteacherChat checklist helps school leaders organise the key documents and information that schools may need to have ready for \u003cstrong\u003e8am on the first day of inspection\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is designed to reduce last-minute searching, support calm preparation and help leaders check that essential inspection information is accessible, accurate and up to date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe checklist is structured around the main categories of information inspectors may request, including strategic documents, behaviour and attendance records, operational information and safeguarding documentation. It also includes space to record the \u003cstrong\u003elocation of each document\u003c\/strong\u003e and whether it is \u003cstrong\u003einspection ready\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it a useful working tool for SLT, office teams and governors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat’s included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA clear checklist of documents schools may need ready for inspection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSections for strategic documents and school improvement priorities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGovernance document prompts for maintained schools and academies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBehaviour and attendance evidence checklist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternative provision, managed move and off-site direction prompts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBullying, harassment, discrimination and restrictive intervention record prompts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInclusion case-sampling information checklist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOperational documents checklist, including timetable, staff list, Wi-Fi, school map and staff absence details\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSafeguarding information checklist, including SCR, DSL referrals, LADO referrals and pupils with open social care or multi-agency plans\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColumns to record document location and inspection-ready status\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is it for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource is ideal for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadteachers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeputy headteachers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSenior leadership teams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchool business managers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffice\/admin teams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDSLs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSENCOs and inclusion leads\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGovernors and trustees\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfsted nominees\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy schools use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspection preparation is much easier when key documents are already organised and easy to locate. This checklist helps schools check what they have, where it is stored, and what may need updating before inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt supports leaders to organise:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchool improvement and strategic vision documents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGovernance or trust board minutes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExternal evaluation reports\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttendance and behaviour analysis\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuspension, exclusion and internal isolation information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlternative provision and off-site direction records\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCase-sampling information for pupils facing barriers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePractical inspection logistics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSafeguarding records and secure-access information\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resource also reminds schools that they do \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e need to provide information beyond what is asked for, information in a specific format, written evidence of oral feedback to pupils, predictions of attainment and progress scores, pupil-tracking information, or a specific pupil premium plan document.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAlso available inside the School Leader Community\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource is also available to members inside the \u003cstrong\u003eSchool Leader Community\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoin or access the community here:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/headteacher-chat.link\/landingpage0725\"\u003ehttps:\/\/headteacher-chat.link\/landingpage0725\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a supportive professional resource and is not an official Ofsted publication. Schools should always check the latest statutory guidance and official Ofsted materials when preparing for inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"School Leaders Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56621288751490,"sku":"SLS-OFSTED-DOCS-DD","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/7573\/8412\/files\/Be_inspection-ready_before_the_call_comes..png?v=1780213920","url":"https:\/\/www.schoolleaders.shop\/en-gg\/products\/ofsted-documents-schools-must-provide-checklist","provider":"School Leaders Shop by HeadteacherChat","version":"1.0","type":"link"}