Ofsted: areas of research interest · first published 10 April 2026
Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) has published its 2026 Areas of Research Interest document, setting out the themes and questions where it most wants external researchers and organisations to contribute evidence. The seven priority themes are: Inclusion, Family Support and Stability, Professional Learning and Development, AI and Digital Literacy, Participation and Pathways, Post-16 Education and Employment, and Transitions. This is not a tender or procurement notice — Ofsted is not directly commissioning work through this document. However, it explicitly signals where it may commission research via the Crown Commercial Service's research and insights framework, and invites relevant researchers and organisations to make contact. Small businesses working in education research, data analytics, training, EdTech, children's social care consultancy, or evaluation services should take note: this document maps the precise gaps Ofsted wants filled, making it a forward-planning tool for shaping bids and relationship-building before formal tenders appear.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
For SMEs operating in education research, evaluation, EdTech, training consultancy or children's social care, this document is effectively Ofsted's forward pipeline of research needs — knowing these themes in advance gives smaller firms a head start in positioning their capabilities before any formal procurement is launched. The explicit mention of the Crown Commercial Service's research and insights framework as Ofsted's commissioning route means SMEs not already registered on that framework should treat that as an immediate priority. The invitation to email research_surveys@ofsted.gov.uk with existing relevant work is a rare low-barrier entry point to getting on Ofsted's radar ahead of competitive tender.
1. Register on (or check your status on) the Crown Commercial Service's research and insights framework — this is Ofsted's stated route for commissioning external research and evaluations.
SMEs providing research, evaluation or data analytics services to the public sector — The document states Ofsted commissions external work 'using the Crown Commercial Service's research and insights framework to ensure quality and compliance.' Without framework membership, you cannot be awarded this work directly.
2. Email research_surveys@ofsted.gov.uk summarising your relevant published or ongoing work — be specific about which of the seven themes it addresses and what evidence gap it fills.
SMEs with existing research, evidence or tools relevant to any of Ofsted's seven themes — The document explicitly invites this: 'we welcome information about existing, published, relevant ongoing or planned research... you can let us know at research_surveys@ofsted.gov.uk.' This is a direct, no-cost route to getting on Ofsted's radar before any formal tender is issued.
3. Map your product or service evidence against Ofsted's AI and digital literacy research questions (personalised learning, ethical AI use, safeguarding, digital poverty) and prepare a one-page evidence summary ready to share with Ofsted or include in future bids.
SMEs working in EdTech, AI in education, or digital safeguarding — Ofsted states it 'need[s] to understand more about how education providers and social care settings are using AI, and what factors enable or hinder its effective implementation' — firms with real-world data here have a credible story to tell.
4. Review the Professional Learning and Development and Workforce Stability sections and gather any outcome data you hold on retention, diversity or capability improvement — this evidence base aligns directly with Ofsted's stated gaps and could underpin a future bid narrative.
SMEs in training, workforce development or consultancy serving education or children's social care — Ofsted flags that 'recruitment and retention continue to present significant challenges across all sectors' and is actively seeking evidence on 'strategies or practices... to successfully strengthen workforce stability.'
5. Prepare case study evidence on learner outcomes — especially for 16–18 year olds, learners with additional needs, and short apprenticeships under 12 months — that could be submitted as evidence or packaged into a future Ofsted-commissioned evaluation bid.
SMEs in post-16 education delivery, apprenticeship training or skills bootcamps — Ofsted explicitly asks 'What does high-quality provision look like for short-term apprenticeships that are less than 12 months long?' — providers with outcome data are well placed to contribute evidence and build credibility for future contracts.
6. Monitor Ofsted's official channels (GOV.UK, blogs, and official communications) for future secondment opportunities and focused requests for evidence, which the document says will be advertised when specific evidence gaps are identified.
SMEs capable of conducting research or evaluations across education and children's social care — The document states Ofsted 'may undertake targeted engagement such as reaching out to specific organisations or publishing a focused request for evidence' — firms already known to Ofsted (via the email route above) are better placed to receive these approaches.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
This document covers seven research theme areas: Inclusion, Family Support and Stability, Professional Learning and Development, AI and Digital Literacy, Participation and Pathways, Post-16 Education/Training/Employment, and Transitions. (All external researchers and organisations working in education, childcare and children's social care — England.)
“The questions that follow are grouped into 7 categories of focus: Inclusion, Family, support and stability, Professional learning and development, Artificial intelligence (AI), online harms and digital literacy, Participation and pathways, Post-16 education, training and employment, Transitions”
This document is not a direct invitation to tender; Ofsted welcomes information about existing, published or planned research relevant to these themes via email. (All researchers and organisations — no value or sector threshold stated.)
“This document is not a direct invitation to tender; however, we welcome information about existing, published, relevant ongoing or planned research. If you are working in an area related to our areas of research interest, you can let us know at research_surveys@ofsted.gov.uk”
Where Ofsted identifies tightly defined evidence gaps, it may undertake targeted engagement or publish a focused request for evidence, with a defined plan for how insights will be used. (All external researchers and organisations.)
“Where evidence gaps are identified around a tightly defined question, we may undertake targeted engagement such as reaching out to specific organisations or publishing a focused request for evidence. We will only undertake these activities where the purpose is clear and we have a defined plan for how the insights we receive will be used.”
Ofsted commissions research and evaluations from external organisations using the Crown Commercial Service's research and insights framework. (External research and evaluation suppliers bidding for Ofsted-commissioned work.)
“Where appropriate, we also commission research and evaluations from external organisations, using the Crown Commercial Service's research and insights framework to ensure quality and compliance.”
Ofsted offers secondment opportunities for researchers, including recent UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) policy fellowships and UKRI BRAID fellowships; future opportunities will be advertised through official channels. (Research organisations and individuals eligible for UKRI-linked secondments.)
“Ofsted offers a variety of research-related opportunities for collaboration through secondment. Recent examples include UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) policy fellowships and the UKRI Bridging responsible AI divides (BRAID) fellowship. Future secondment opportunities will be advertised through our official channels.”
Sensitive or detailed Ofsted datasets may be made available for approved researchers via the ONS Secure Research Service or UK Data Service, subject to strict access rules. (Approved researchers seeking access to Ofsted's detailed or sensitive datasets.)
“In addition to publicly available data, Ofsted occasionally publishes more sensitive or detailed datasets. Where appropriate, and in line with legal and ethical standards, we may make some of this data available for research purposes. Access is subject to strict rules and safeguards... accessible through secure platforms such as: ONS Secure research service, UK Data Service”
Ofsted's seven research priority themes include AI use and impact in education, online harms, digital literacy, workforce stability, inclusion, attendance, transitions, post-16 pathways, apprenticeships, family support and kinship care. (All sectors Ofsted inspects and regulates — England.)
“AI is beginning to influence practice across schools, further education and skills, early years, and social care settings. It offers potential benefits such as personalised learning, administrative efficiency, and enhanced safeguarding. However, we need to understand more about how education providers and social care settings are using AI, and what factors enable or hinder its effective implementation.”
Ofsted is specifically interested in research on foundation apprenticeships, short apprenticeships under 12 months, and apprenticeship access for 16–18 year olds and learners with additional needs. (Post-16 education and training providers and researchers — England.)
“What does high-quality provision look like for short-term apprenticeships that are less than 12 months long? In preparation for foundation apprenticeships, what learnings can providers take from other short work-based learning programmes delivered for young people, to best support learners with additional needs or who are at risk of becoming NEET?”
Ofsted encourages researchers to read this document alongside the Department for Education's (DfE) areas of research interest to maximise research impact. (All external researchers and organisations.)
“We encourage researchers to consider both areas of research interest documents together to position their work where it can have the greatest impact.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.