UVAC is  looking for interested HEIs to form a HEI peer network to submit an expression of interest to join the Ofsted Pilot for Ofsted Inspectors (OI).

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said, ‘this pilot is a really exciting development – one that allows serving leaders to give back to the system, help shape how inspection works, and bring their expertise into schools and providers across the country’.

In the pilot, Ofsted Inspectors join Ofsted not as individuals, but as groups of professionals drawn together from the organisations or networks they are already part of, such as local authorities, dioceses, local school networks, multi-academy trusts, independent learning providers and general further education colleges.

Leaders with at least five years successful teaching experience, and a minimum of two years in a leadership or management role within the schools or Further Education and Skills sectors, and whose employer supports their application can be nominated as part of a group. Even if you are only nominating yourself or one person from your group or organisation, you can still express an interest. We do however encourage you to form a group with other providers first.

We will hold your data in a secure searchable database. We will restrict access to those who need it for notifying you about the pilot. We will keep your data for 2 years. We will contact you when we are able to progress your interest further. We will be in touch with you by July 2026 to confirm whether we are able to include you in our next cohort. If we are able to include you in one of our cohorts, the individuals you nominate will be invited to complete a more detailed application process. Those who pass that process will then be invited to an assessment day”.

A UVAC member has contacted the Ofsted Academy and HEIs do qualify for this pilot, we think this is a great opportunity to ensure that there is an perspective in this pilot and we hope to shape how the Education Inspection Framework is applied to HEIs.

If you are interested ( or are working on this already) email Rebecca at [email protected] We will then ask interested members to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) We will review returns on a first come first served basis before submitting a formal EOI to Ofsted. It would great to get representation from each region and size of provider also and so this will be considered when reviewing the EOI received.  Note: there is no Inspection fee paid to the OI but instead employer costs are covered.

For queries contact  Rebecca at [email protected]