When preparing for an Ofsted inspection, many schools use a detailed Ofsted checklist to stay on track. Ofsted inspections assess the overall quality and care provided within the school or early years setting, making it essential to demonstrate high standards in both areas. It’s a practical checklist that helps school leaders, governors, and staff meet the latest compliance requirements within their setting. Yet even the most organised schools can miss a few key areas that inspectors still expect to see.

A focused approach is important when you prepare for inspection, which will help you make sure that nothing is overlooked and that your school is ready to demonstrate compliance and quality at every stage.

Here are seven mistakes often overlooked on an Ofsted inspection checklist, and quick actions to fix them before inspection day.

1. Outdated Contact Details

Inspectors often check contact details first. If headteachers’ names, phone numbers, or email addresses are incorrect, it can create a poor first impression.

Action: Review every section where contact information appears. Update staff names, check the enquiry email, and reflect any leadership changes clearly on your site.

2. Safeguarding Policy Not Updated

Safeguarding policies must be reviewed each year. Ofsted inspections often reveal that schools forget to publish the most recent version or fail to include the review date. A robust safeguarding policy is essential for protecting every child, not only because this is something that is right at the top of every school’s priority list, but also to ensure you are meeting statutory requirements. It should clearly outline the procedures for handling incidents involving children, so that staff can respond appropriately and consistently.

Action: Upload your updated policy, include a visible review date, and link it from both the safeguarding and statutory information sections. Ensure your policy contains up-to-date procedures, specifies staff knowledge requirements regarding safeguarding children, and includes a clear process for recording and managing incidents.

3. Broken or Outdated Links

A good Ofsted checklist will always encourage you to check performance tables, Ofsted reports, and admissions links — but many are broken or lead to outdated pages.

Action: Use a link checker or manually test all compliance pages. Update any link that no longer works. Inspectors will notice working, current information.

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4. Accessibility and Presentation

Your school website should reflect inclusive practices and meet accessibility expectations. Pages should be easy to navigate and work across devices.

Action: Publish your accessibility statement in a clear place and show how the school is improving access for all users. Add transcripts or captions where videos are used.

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5. Curriculum Pages Missing Key Information

Curriculum content must match what is being taught. Missing or outdated subject pages are a common issue in inspections. It is important to clearly show children’s progress and how the curriculum supports their development, ensuring that the expected standards are met and evidenced in your documentation.

Action: Review each curriculum area. Add updated information on progression, intent, and implementation. Provide a downloadable list of curriculum documents or resources, and check links to downloads to make sure parents can find what they need easily.

6. Designated Safeguarding Lead Not Named – Always on an Ofsted Inspection Checklist

Inspectors expect to find a named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and contact details. Missing this information counts against compliance.

Action: Add the DSL’s name, contact email, and procedure for reporting concerns. Include clear instructions on how to record safeguarding concerns or incidents, ensuring all records are accurate and securely stored. Update this when staff roles change.

7. Policies Published but Hard to Find – Vital for Ofsted Inspections

All required policies might be live but spread across several areas. A clear, robust policy structure not only helps inspectors and parents find documents quickly, but also provides clear evidence of compliance and supports thinking about policy effectiveness.

Action: Create one policy page where every file can be downloaded easily. Group policies by type and include review dates. This simple step helps schools stay organised, demonstrate evidence of compliance, and regularly review policies.

Final Check Before Inspection

An Ofsted checklist should be more than a tick-box exercise — it’s a step-by-step guide to presenting your school accurately and confidently. When policies, safeguarding information, and curriculum details are well-organised, you show strong leadership and effective governance. Keeping clear records of parent messages and communications is also vital for inspection readiness, as it demonstrates effective engagement and thorough record-keeping.

Schudio supports schools in preparing for Ofsted inspections with compliant website audits, guidance, and ongoing support.

Next steps:

• Book a free school website compliance check to ensure you are fully prepared.
• Join a live Ofsted-ready training session.
• Explore Schudio’s tools to keep your website updated and inspection-ready all year.