Ofsted pilots independent review service for school inspection complaints

What was announced

Ofsted is testing an Independent Complaints Review (ICR) service during the 2026/27 academic year. State-funded schools that make a formal complaint about an inspection can ask this new service to review their case. The trial applies to school inspections taking place this term and throughout the academic year.

The new service differs from the existing Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted (ICASO). ICASO checks whether Ofsted followed its procedure, but it cannot look at the evidence or challenge inspection findings. By contrast, the ICR service will examine original, unredacted inspection evidence. It will assess whether Ofsted's complaint response was fair and reasonable, including decisions about grades.

If the ICR finds that Ofsted made mistakes, it will issue findings and recommendations to both the school and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI). HMCI must personally read and respond to every recommendation. Should the ICR question a grading decision, HMCI can set aside the published report card and arrange a fresh inspection.

What it means

School leaders gain a way to challenge inspection grades with an external body that can look at the raw evidence. Previously, schools could only ask ICASO to check if Ofsted followed its administrative steps. Under the trial, an outside body gets to evaluate whether inspection judgments were reasonable.

The initiative follows reports by Dame Christine Gilbert and Sinead McBrearty that called for external oversight. It builds on changes introduced in 2024 by Sir Martyn Oliver, including a helpline and external panels to review closed complaints. The Department for Education is managing the contract to choose the reviewing body, which must belong to the Ombudsman Association.

What the announcement does not tell us

The announcement does not name the organisation that will run the ICR service. It notes that the Department for Education is managing the contract award, but gives no timeline for when the provider will be chosen.

Ofsted does not specify how long the ICR process will take from when a school submits a request to when a decision is made. It is also unclear what exact criteria HMCI will use when deciding whether to follow an ICR recommendation to order a new inspection. Finally, the announcement does not state how much the pilot will cost or when Ofsted will decide on expanding the service to other sectors it inspects.