Every nominee deserves proper preparation.
Being named as an Ofsted nominee is a significant responsibility, but people often step into the role without dedicated training. Based on client demand, we have created this two-part workshop that gives nominees across FE colleges, universities, and independent training providers the introductory knowledge, confidence and practical tools to represent their organisation credibly during inspection as an outcome of effective planning.
Focused entirely on ensuring you are well prepared, it combines expert input, practical activities and facilitated reflection to build real capability, not just awareness.
This 2-part workshop will help you to:
- Understand the full scope and boundaries of the nominee role
- Know your data and present it with confidence and accuracy
- Respond to inspector questions calmly and credibly
- Walk into inspection preparation with a clear personal brief
You will receive a suite of practical resources:
- Pre-inspection Planning Checklist – Updated to the September 2026 toolkit and operating guide. Nine sections covering inspection coordination, notification-ready communications, context and self-assessment readiness.
- Planning Call Positioning Template – A structured template to help you build confidence ahead of the planning calls. Built to run in 10 to 15 minutes.
- Learning Walk Template – Resource to support structuring the three learning walks to help you to celebrate your strengths and highlight areas of focus.
- Data by Evaluation Area – What data is relevant to each of the seven evaluation areas, as a working reference rather than a checklist. Used alongside the data confidence activity between sessions.
- Context Position Statement Diagnostic – Prompts for articulating context: who you serve, what shapes their starting points, what has changed since the last inspection. Word version in the pack, interactive version in Mesma.
- Self Assessing Brilliantly recording – Automatic access to the next live session or the recent webinar recording.
Workshop Breakdown
Part 1, Thursday 26 November, 10am-12:30pm: Understanding the role, your context and your data
- What the nominee role is, is not, and the importance of the people around them.
- The nominee as champion of your learners.
- Translating your context into an inspection schedule.
- Knowing your data, and helping your evaluation area leads know theirs.
Part 2, Thursday 3 December, 10am-12:30pm: Leading the inspection week
- Working with the inspection team to build the evidence base.
- Making the most of case sampling and learning walks.
- Working successfully with the lead inspector.
We recommend taking the time to visit the Ofsted Academy recordings prior to joining to develop a base level of understanding of inspection.
About your session
The 2-part workshop is led by Lou Doyle, Director and Co-Founder of SDN Mesma Group, with over 25 years’ experience in inspection readiness, quality improvement, strategy, change leadership, and governance. SDN Mesma Group are leading experts in education and employment support and quality assurance, supporting over 2,000 providers and 11,500 staff to adapt and improve the delivery of technical education and assessment.
Who’s it for?
- Newly appointed or inexperienced nominees
- Individuals stepping into the role without formal preparation
- Professionals responsible for representing their organisation during inspection
“Thank you… you are making such a difference to the sector!”
– Barbara Van der Eecken, Bvde Quality Solutions Ltd
“The webinar was excellent as usual – Lou is very knowledgeable and engages the audience really well … always insightful and helpful especially as I am very much managing this ‘on my own’!”
“Very insightful that left me with actionable steps to take afterwards.”
“Excellent session – shared really useful information and guidance could have watched all day”
– Quality event attendees
Booking and payment:
These workshops should be attended live to receive the full benefit from breakout activities.
If you have several staff who would benefit, let us know and we’ll send you details of the most cost-effective way of accessing the session.
If you’re a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority), and unable to book via card, please email us. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)
SDN Mesma Group professional development is designed for Government funded Training Providers. If you’re not a Government funded Training Provider but are still interested in attending please email events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk to discuss your attendance in more detail before booking.
Mesma software users receive a discount on the price of this series, via email.
Workshop and resources
- 2 x live online workshops: Thurs 26 November & Thurs 3 December
- Session recordings and slide decks
- Suite of practical resources: Pre-inspection Planning Checklist, Planning Call Positioning Template, Learning Walk Template, Data by Evaluation Area, Context Position Statement Diagnostic and Self Assessing Brilliantly webinar recording
- Attendance certificate
Single ticket – £225 +VAT
Group ticket (5 attendees max) – £395 +VAT
Workshop, resources and support
- Everything in the ‘workshop and resources’ package
- One hour of one-to-one support with our quality specialist
Single ticket – £295 +VAT
Group ticket (5 attendees max) – £495 +VAT
Tailored delivery
If you have a group of individuals interested, we can host a bespoke version for your organisation and tailor the content to you.
Please get in contact, and we can chat through your requirements and timescales:
T: 01622 962 411