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Ofsted inspector

Alternative titles for this job include His Majesty's Inspector, HMI, regulatory inspector

Ofsted inspectors visit, inspect and report on the quality of places of education and learning, and children's social care services.

Average salary (a year)

£52,000 Starter

to

£85,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 variable

You could work

evenings away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Ofsted inspector

You can get into this job through:

  • applying directly

Direct Application

You can apply directly to become an inspector if you've got the relevant qualifications, skills and experience.

You'll need:

  • a degree in a subject like education, childcare or social work
  • qualified teacher status (QTS) to inspect schools
  • a track record of improving standards and services
  • up-to-date knowledge of the job, including recent developments and statutory requirements

You'll also need at least 5 years' experience of leadership in a relevant job like headteacher or senior manager in children's services to become an HMI - His Majesty's Inspector.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more on how to become an inspector from Ofsted.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • the ability to analyse quality or performance
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • leadership skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • active listening skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You'll also find it useful to have a driving licence.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You'll be employed directly by Ofsted as an HMI - His Majesty's Inspector, or regulatory inspector. You could also work as an Ofsted inspector (OI) on contract to Ofsted. OIs do not carry out the regulatory work or the full role of an HMI.

As an HMI, you'll take lead inspector and team inspector roles. You'll work in one or more of these areas:

  • schools
  • further education and skills
  • children and families services
  • early years and childcare

Ofsted also employs regulatory inspectors across early years and children’s social care services. They check that people, premises and services are suitable to care for children and vulnerable young people.

In all roles, you'll:

  • get organised for inspections by reading briefings
  • talk to staff about previous development plans and progress made
  • find out the views of other professionals, children and parents
  • observe and rate teaching or care provision against national standards
  • check the welfare and development of the children
  • record what you see and hear
  • give information and evidence to team meetings
  • produce detailed written reports to tight deadlines
  • give feedback to the education or children's service provider

Working environment

You could work from home, at a college or at a school.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You’ll be recruited and trained by Ofsted.

With experience as an HMI - His Majesty's Inspector, you could become a senior HMI or regional director. Regulatory inspectors may also become regulatory inspection managers or HMIs.

You could use your knowledge and experience to move into a senior role within your own area of work.

Current opportunities

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Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an Ofsted inspector right now.

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Courses In England

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