Scenario 3.5: You need to prepare the school for Ofsted or an external review
A review or inspection is approaching, and you want to ensure your team is focused, confident, and aligned without creating panic or performativity.
Leadership Behaviours to Support This Challenge
| Code | Behaviour | Why It Matters |
| S2 | Tell the Story | A narrative approach ensures the school’s strategy is coherent and memorable. |
| S1 | Explain the Why | Staff are more confident when they understand the rationale for decisions. |
| S6 | Focus on the Main Thing | Helps prevent last-minute scattergun preparation. |
| L3 | Get the Steps In | Visibility builds calm confidence and signals shared accountability. |
| T9 | Go Back and Check | Reassurance often comes from leaders following through and checking in. |
Suggested Approach
- Create clarity about your school’s story: the strengths, the journey and the next steps.
- Give teams time to revisit key documents, curriculum maps, and action plans.
- Don’t let fear take over. Stay calm and focused.
- Support, don’t overload. Reassure with presence and consistency.
- Model confidence as it’s contagious.