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SEND6–8 min read

SEND and Ofsted: Interpreting Inspection Evidence Correctly

Published 8 February 2026

Ofsted inspections assess SEND indirectly. This requires careful interpretation.

Language That Signals Risk

Phrases such as:

  • ●"Leaders recognise…"
  • ●"Provision is developing…"
  • ●"Inconsistently applied…"

often indicate unresolved issues.

Language That Signals Embedded Practice

Look for:

  • ●Consistency across sections
  • ●References to everyday classroom adaptation
  • ●Evidence of sustained improvement, not initiatives

What Ofsted Does Not Capture

Inspections do not typically assess:

  • ●Day-to-day sensory environment management
  • ●Staff continuity and relationships
  • ●How schools handle difficult days

These factors matter enormously for SEND children.

Extract SEND signals from inspection narratives

We surface SEND-specific indicators buried within inspection narratives so parents don't have to decode them alone.

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