Written Question·Department for Education·UIN 103419

Schools: Inspections

Tabled: 6 January 2026
Answered: 19 January 2026

Question

Lee Anderson

Reform UKAshfield

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made about the potential merits of making all Ofsted inspections unannounced.

Answer

Georgia Gould
Ofsted typically gives a short period of notice of its inspections. This supports the effective conduct of the inspection visit. Ofsted also has the ability to inspect without notice where it has concerns about a provider.