The government will press ahead with plans to increase Ofsted inspection charges for private schools by up to 50 per cent, the Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed in its response to a consultation launched last November. The rises will be phased in over five years from January 2027, and secondary legislation will be needed before Ofsted can charge the new rates.

Ofsted inspects about 1,250 non-association independent schools in England. Most of the largest private schools are inspected instead by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, and are not affected. The DfE says inspection is heavily subsidised by the taxpayer, with fees recovering only around 34 per cent of the annual £6.5 million cost. Fees have not risen since 2019.

What schools will pay

Under the new rates, a school with 100 to 120 pupils will see its annual standard inspection fee rise from £2,200 to £3,300, while a school with 600 pupils or more will pay £4,300, up from £2,750. The smallest schools, with fewer than 100 pupils, face the lowest percentage increases. Pre-registration inspection fees, paid when a new private school opens, will rise from £2,500 to £6,900 by 2031, an increase of 176 per cent. The DfE says the higher charge should also discourage speculative applications from schools not ready to open.

Opposition and safeguards

The consultation received just 33 responses, and most opposed any increase, raising concerns about smaller schools, faith schools and schools catering for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. The DfE acknowledged the potential impact but said fees are payable by school proprietors, not pupils, and that it will monitor the effect over the five years. It said inspections remain a vital safeguard to ensure children are safe and receive a good quality education.