Ofsted inspection can feel daunting when you’re a school business manager, especially if you’re new to the role or haven’t experienced an inspection under the current framework.

Designed specifically for school business managers, this focused preparation pack translates the 2026 School Inspection Toolkit into practical guidance about your role during inspection. You’ll understand when and how you’ll engage with inspectors, what questions they’re likely to explore and how to demonstrate the excellent operational work you’re already doing to ensure resources support the school’s priorities, statutory compliance is maintained and operational systems enable the school to function effectively.

You’ll get:

• School Business Manager Inspection Role Guidance – clear explanation of when you’ll be involved during inspection, what happens during focused leadership meetings and document reviews (particularly the single central record if this is your responsibility), and what inspectors want to understand from you
• Example Ofsted School Business Manager Questions – realistic questions you might be asked during inspection conversations, helping you practise articulating your approach and identify any areas to strengthen
• Further supporting documents – including a leader action checklist to build your inspection knowledge, an inspection readiness tool to evaluate your current practice against toolkit statements, and editable grade descriptor grids highlighting leadership and governance (and where resource management and compliance connect) across the framework