What Happens at a Progress Monitoring Inspection?

If your school has had standards judged as not met, you will know that inspectors are coming back. You just don’t know when. Many leaders tell us that the waiting is harder than the inspection itself.

This guide explains what a progress monitoring inspection is, what inspectors look at and how to approach it with confidence. It is based on Ofsted’s operating guide for additional inspections of non-association independent schools, which applies to inspections from 7 September 2026.

What is a progress monitoring inspection?

A progress monitoring inspection is a follow up visit to an independent school that did not meet all the independent school standards at a previous inspection. The Department for Education (DfE) commissions it, and Ofsted carries it out.

Its purpose is narrow and clear. Inspectors check whether the standards that were unmet are now met, and whether the school is making progress on any wider weaknesses identified in its last report.

The same guide covers schools normally inspected by ISI, if the DfE asks Ofsted to carry out the visit.

Why progress monitoring inspections exist

The standards set out what every child in an independent school is entitled to: a good education, a safe environment and leaders who keep both under review. When a school falls short, children are affected now, not at some point in the future.

Progress monitoring is how the DfE checks that a school is putting things right. Seen that way, it is less a second test and more a chance to show the improvements you have made.

Will we get notice of the inspection?

Usually not. Progress monitoring inspections are normally unannounced. In exceptional cases, where the DfE has agreed it with Ofsted, a school may receive a phone call up to 30 minutes before inspectors arrive.

This is why readiness matters more than preparation. A school that has embedded its improvements has nothing to arrange on the morning.

What do inspectors check?

Your action plan. If the DfE approved an action plan, inspectors receive a copy. They check how effectively each action is being carried out and whether it is on track against the dates in the plan. If you have updated the plan since, they take the updated version into account.

The standards that were not met. Inspectors gather evidence on each standard judged unmet last time. They also follow up any other weaknesses named in the previous report.

Safeguarding, every time. Whatever the focus of the visit, inspectors check the safeguarding policy and how it is implemented, and that the policy is published on the school’s website. If you have appointed staff since the last inspection, they check recruitment too.

Anything new. If inspectors find concerns beyond the original list, they normally inspect the related standards as well.

What happens on the day?

The lead inspector asks to speak to the headteacher, proprietor or most senior person available, and explains why they are there. They then confirm the timetable and the documents they need.

During the day, inspectors meet the proprietor, those responsible for governance and staff. They look at the premises, review policies and records and talk to pupils. Talking to pupils matters: if inspectors cannot corroborate safeguarding evidence because they are prevented from speaking to pupils, the relevant standards are normally judged as not met.

Inspectors hold reflection meetings with leaders through the day. These are your opportunity to point to further evidence. If a minor safeguarding improvement can be made easily before the end of the visit, inspectors give leaders every chance to make it.

What happens after a progress monitoring inspection?

At the final feedback meeting, the lead inspector explains which previously unmet standards are now met and which remain unmet, along with the evidence behind each judgement. They will not advise on how to meet any standard that is still unmet.

If any previously unmet standard remains unmet, or a new failure is found, the overall outcome is that the school does not meet all the standards checked. Ofsted then updates the school’s report card, or writes a report if there is no report card yet, and the DfE decides what action to take.

Good Practice

Schools that approach progress monitoring well keep their action plan as a working document, not a file in a drawer. Each action has an owner, a date and clear evidence of impact. Leaders and the proprietor review it together regularly, and staff can explain what has changed and why.

From Our Experience

One of the most common challenges is evidence of implementation. We often see schools with excellent new policies but little to show those policies are followed. Schools that recover well usually build in simple checks, such as learning walks, record audits and conversations with pupils, and keep a note of what they find.

A common misconception

“Inspectors will only look at the standards we failed.” They focus there, but safeguarding is always checked, and any new concern can widen the inspection. Keeping every standard in view, not just the unmet ones, is the safest approach.

Questions for leaders

• Could every member of staff explain what has changed since the inspection?
• Is each action in our plan on track against its date, and can we show it?
• Is our safeguarding policy current, published on the website and followed in practice?
• Have we checked recruitment records for everyone appointed since the inspection?
• Has anything new emerged that inspectors might pick up?

Frequently asked questions

How long does a progress monitoring inspection last?

It depends on what the DfE has asked Ofsted to check. The visit is focused on the specified standards rather than covering everything a standard inspection would.

Can we ask for the inspection to be deferred?

A school can request a deferral, and Ofsted considers it under its deferral guidance. Deferral is not automatic.

Does a progress monitoring inspection change our overall grade?

It reports on whether the standards checked are now met. Ofsted updates the school’s report card where one exists.

Do we have to pay for the inspection?

Inspection fees can apply. Ofsted’s inspection information for non-association independent schools sets out the current position.

Will inspectors tell us how to fix remaining issues?

No. They explain the evidence clearly so you know your priorities, but they do not give advice on how to meet the standards.

Our Perspective

A progress monitoring inspection is not the destination. The goal is a school where every standard is met because good practice is part of daily life, so the next inspection, whenever it comes, simply confirms what you already know.

How can Jarvis Education help?

We support independent schools from the day a report arrives to the day every standard is met. That includes writing an action plan the DfE can accept, placing experienced interim leaders, improving practice alongside staff and carrying out an independent ISS compliance health check before inspectors return.