What counts as Ofsted evidence?
Evidence isn’t about producing more paperwork. It’s about making the good work you already do easy to see.
What inspectors want
One of the biggest inspection pressures is not knowing what actually “counts” as evidence. Do inspectors want endless folders? Do they need everything typed, polished, and ready to hand?
The truth is simpler: evidence is about making your school’s story clear. Ofsted doesn’t expect perfection, they expect consistency, context, and confidence.
What evidence looks like in practice
Evidence isn’t just big reports or spreadsheets. It’s often the everyday work your school already does.
If it reflects the quality of education, leadership, or culture in your school, it’s evidence.
- Data and analysis: attendance, attainment, behaviour, exclusions, destinations
- Policies and reports: safeguarding, SEND, curriculum, Pupil Premium
- Meeting minutes and notes: governing board, SLT, staff, CPD sessions
- Curriculum documents: schemes of work, progression maps, curriculum intent
- Voice: surveys, parent forums, pupil feedback, staff consultation
- Training and records: CPD logs, safeguarding training, appraisals
- Assembly plans: themes, values, and pupil participation that reflect your school’s culture
What evidence isn’t
Inspectors want to see how your school works day to day, not a perfect binder prepared the night before.
Endless files created just for inspection
Last-minute paperwork polished to impress
A single “right” format or template
How inspectors view evidence
Consistency
Does what they see in lessons, books, and conversations match what’s written?
Context
How does your school’s journey shape the decisions you’ve made?
Inclusion
Are all groups of pupils reflected in your evidence, not just the easy wins?
How Intelligent Evidence helps
Most schools already have the evidence – it’s just scattered across drives, emails, and people’s heads. That’s where Intelligent Evidence comes in:
- Upload what you already have, in any format
- AI maps it automatically against Ofsted’s framework
- You see at a glance what’s covered and where there are gaps
- You decide what to keep, edit, or add
It’s not about creating more work. It’s about making your story clear and ready, whenever you need it.