How often do Ofsted inspect primary schools?

[ladymixalot]

Simple question, but I can't find the answer on the Ofsted website .

And do they always inspect dead on time or is there a few months' leeway?

Every 2 to 3 years, unless they are on special measures.

Thanks, someone on MN always knows! I've been on the website and noticed a school near me that seems very overdue for an inspection (last done May 2004). It didn't do particularly well in the last one (rated satisfactory)... any idea why it might not be done yet?

It might have been done but it takes several months for the report to be done and put up on the website.

Spot-checks are to be introduced in 2009, if recent press reports are to be believed.

The insepciton system changed about 2 years ago to what are known as 'short notice inspections' where a school gets 2-3 days notice and then is inspected for about 2 days by 2 or 3 inspectors depending on the size of the school. The reports are then published to the school within the week. Our ofsted report was on ofsted's website within the following 2 weeks.
Insepctions used to be in a 6 yearly cycle (with old style inspecitons) but now they are every 3 years (with short notice inspections) SOMe school will not have had an ofsted for a while becuase they were inspected under the old system i.e. school's in 2004.
Yes there is huge leeway in the timing. The school is worked in previously was due an inspection and they were overdue by about 3 terms.

My DCs school was inspected in 2002 and passed as good to outstanding.
They were inspected again in 2007 and got notice to improve.
They have been inspected again since then and will be inspected yet again in 6 months. Its good to know they are keeping the school on their toes.
They only get 2 days notice, unless they are lucky enough to find out on a Friday which is what happened last time.