Lee Owston is one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) and Deputy Director for Inspection Improvement. He is responsible for monitoring the implementation of Ofsted’s inspection frameworks and leading the programme of improvements that emerge from this process, including oversight of the Education Directorate’s work around restarting inspection. 

Lee is a qualified teacher and holds post-graduate qualifications in educational leadership and management. Before joining Ofsted, he held senior leadership positions in schools, local authorities and national organisations. He has worked as an adviser for the Department of Education contributing to national publications on English, phonics and assessment and as an early years and primary adviser in a local authority. 

Lee regularly leads section 5 and section 8 inspections of primary and secondary schools, including the monitoring of schools in categories of concern. Lee's particular areas of expertise are in English, assessment and the early years.