Surge in Enquiries as Schools Brace for New Ofsted Framework
We’re seeing strong signs that 2026 will be a pivotal year for education technology - with a surge in enquiries from schools as leaders prepare for the new Ofsted inspection framework.
Following our recent attendance at the Schools and Academies Shows in Birmingham, we spoke to hundreds of headteachers and trust leaders who are actively looking for practical ways to prepare for upcoming inspection changes.
Many told us they are feeling increased pressure around workload, evidence gathering and documentation and want solutions that support, rather than disrupt, how their schools already operate.
As the Derby-based company behind SchooliP, now used by more than 850 schools worldwide, we’ve seen first-hand how uncertainty around the revised Ofsted framework is driving demand for clear, manageable systems that help schools stay organised and inspection-ready.
What came through strongly in our conversations was a clear appetite for practical solutions, not sweeping system overhauls. School leaders want technology that helps them streamline processes, organise evidence and reduce administrative burden — while still allowing them to focus on pupils and staff.
Stuart Reece, managing director at Derventio Education, said the conversations at the show highlighted a “clear appetite for practical, manageable solutions” rather than sweeping system changes.
He said: “Technology will play a major role in helping schools manage workload and administration over the next few years, by automating evidence gathering, behaviour and safeguarding logs, and centralising policies and documentation so they are in the best possible position for inspections.
“Our role has always been to take complexity out of the process. We came away from the show with a better understanding of what school leaders need right now and we’ll continue to work closely with them as the framework evolves.
“What’s more, one of our trust schools was recently inspected, and the term “wow” was used when the inspectors saw the school improvement information presented through SchooliP. Endorsements don’t get better than that.”
Many school leaders expressed uncertainty about what inspectors will expect to see and how best to align internal processes with the new approach.
Stuart added: “School leaders want technology that fits around what they already do and gives them confidence that their hard work is captured, consistent and easy to evidence.
“We can help to remove some of the pressure and give them back time to focus on pupils and staff, so that’s a win for everyone and it’s why we expect demand for thoughtful, well-designed EdTech to grow over the next few years.”
