Mock Ofsted 90 minute call with the Lead Inspector

Mock Ofsted Planning call between the Head & the Lead Inspector

The purpose of this service is to support headteachers in preparing for the 90 minute call with the lead inspector the day before the inspection starts. The headteacher or principal of any school or college due to be inspected by Ofsted will find using this service an invaluable aid in preparation for the call and beyond.

All our Lead Inspectors are former Headteachers, many have worked at Executive level in Multi-Academy Trusts.

Amongst our lead inspector team are:

• Former Senior Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI)*
• Former Ofsted National Subject leads
• Former Senior Local Authority School Improvement Advisors
• Former Education Directors of Multi Academy Trusts
• Former DfE National Leaders of Education (NLE)
• Former Headteachers & Executive Headteachers

*NB Current HMIs are prohibited by Ofsted from carrying out any school improvement work

The renewed inspection guidance makes clear that the planning call is a professional conversation with school leaders, not necessarily only the headteacher. Inspectors may speak with any appropriate senior leader, and sector guidance encourages leaders to involve additional members of the senior team in the call for clarity and support.
For this reason, we recommend that at least one other member of the senior leadership team participates in the mock 90 minute call. This ensures continuity, shared understanding, and confidence should the headteacher be unavailable. The school should also prepare and agree key responses in advance so the senior team speaks with a coherent, consistent voice.

Many schools opt for the ‘mock’ phone call as part of a full mock inspection, but it is also a valuable exercise on its own where it usually lasts around 2-3 hours as it is part mock part mentoring from our lead inspector.

Why the 90 minute call is your pivotal moment

Used well, the 90 minute call sets the tone for the entire inspection. It’s your best opportunity to ensure inspectors absorb your context, understand the improvement journey, and note current barriers before they start triangulating evidence on site. The operating guide confirms this expanded, structured planning phase; sector reporting also highlights that planning calls can be substantial and shape the timetable that follows.

In our focussed rehearsal, we help you:

• Clarify the narrative (context, trajectory, barriers, next steps) in a tight, memorable way.
• Prioritise three or four message anchors inspectors will hear repeatedly during learning walks and reflection meetings.
• Anticipate the hot questions on inclusion, attendance/behaviour, achievement (including the framework’s use of “typically” for interpreting data).
• Allocate voices (who says what, and when) so leaders speak confidently across the whole school, not just their own patch.

What happens when Ofsted calls ?

Under Ofsted’s renewed inspection framework (from 10 November 2025), schools receive two phone calls on the day of notification:

1. The initial notification call, followed by
2. The planning call (previously known as the “educationally focussed conversation”).

The planning call usually lasts up to 90 minutes, as confirmed in sector summaries aligned to the new operating guide.

Based on practice emerging from early inspections, there is typically a 30–60 minute gap between the initial notification call and the start of the planning call, giving leaders limited but valuable time to gather their thoughts, organise evidence, and assemble the appropriate colleagues.

The guidance also notes that leaders may include additional senior staff during the planning call to support the conversation and share workload.
For this reason, we recommend having a second senior leader present to take notes, add detail where needed, and ensure the school’s narrative is presented clearly and consistently.

The planning call is followed by the on‑site inspection beginning the next working day (for standard inspections), as set out in the operating guide.

How to Book “Nail the 90 minute call” — live simulation with a former HMI

📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com

Has your school, academy or alternative provision already been visited by Ofsted & been graded ‘Needs attention’?

We can support you in putting together an action plan / submission to the DfE, as well as carrying out an external review or monitoring visit . Find out more here

JMC Post Ofsted Support Team