The updated Ofsted inspection toolkit places renewed emphasis on leadership and governance, particularly how leaders manage workload realistically, protect staff from avoidable strain, and create a positive culture where staff feel supported, valued and able to do their best work.

Inspectors now consider evidence that:

• Workload for staff is manageable, with leaders taking active steps not to create unnecessary burdens and to protect staff time.
• Effective systems are in place to protect staff from bullying, unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• A positive workplace culture exists, where staff feel respected, valued and supported.
• Time is used effectively, enabling high-quality teaching and learning without avoidable strain.

These expectations sit within the staff wellbeing and workload evidence section of the leadership and governance evaluation area. For apprenticeship providers, meeting these expectations requires more than policy statements – it requires practical, demonstrable action.

Using technology to reduce staff burdens and improve wellbeing

AI is becoming an increasingly important enabler of quality, inclusion and sustainability in apprenticeships. When used thoughtfully, it allows leaders to remove unnecessary workload, free up staff capacity, and improve both learner and staff experience. Aptem Enhance has been designed to support learners, coaches and assessors in practical ways that save administrative time and give tutors more time to spend with learners, directly aligning with Ofsted’s expectations for leadership and governance.

Managing workload realistically and protecting staff time

One of Ofsted’s key questions is whether leaders take active steps to avoid unnecessary workload. Aptem Enhance supports this by reducing administrative pressure and streamlining delivery workflows.

Key features include:

• 24/7 learner support via the virtual assistant
  Learners can access guidance and support at any time, reducing reliance on fixed staff availability and lowering reactive workload for delivery teams. This helps leaders demonstrate realistic workload planning and improved access to support.
• Accelerated workflows with AI-supported marking aid
  Marking aid provides instant, meaningful feedback, enabling apprentices to progress without unnecessary delays. This reduces repetitive tasks for assessors while maintaining quality, freeing time for targeted learner support.
• Enhanced reviews to reduce preparation and recording time
  Enhanced reviews support structured preparation and efficient recording, cutting down admin time and making reviews more productive and engaging for both staff and learners.

Together, these features provide clear evidence that leaders are using technology to protect staff time, reduce pressure, and avoid avoidable strain.

Supporting staff mental health, morale and professional culture

Ofsted also looks for evidence of a positive workplace culture where staff feel respected, valued and supported to do their job well. By removing unnecessary administrative burden and enabling staff to focus on meaningful interactions with learners, Aptem Enhance contributes directly to:

• Improved staff morale through reduced workload stress.
• Greater professional satisfaction by allowing staff to prioritise coaching and learner development.
• A culture of trust and support, where technology works with staff rather than adding pressure.

This supports leadership evidence that wellbeing is considered systemically, not just rhetorically.

Effective use of time to support high-quality teaching and learning

Aptem Enhance also supports leaders in demonstrating that time is used effectively across the organisation and that learners are closely monitored throughout their journey. Objective progress monitoring tool checkpoint provides documented, measurable evidence of learner progress and potential gaps in the curriculum that need to be addressed. 

The feature means that leaders can validate learner responses and progress with confidence – and staff spend less time chasing evidence and more time supporting learning. For Ofsted, this demonstrates a thoughtful and strategic use of technology to remove barriers to progress, support learner independence, and maintain high standards without increasing staff workload.

Strengthening leadership and governance evidence for Ofsted

From an inspection perspective, Aptem Enhance enables providers to show that leadership decisions:

• Improve learner experience.
• Support staff wellbeing and morale.
• Manage workload realistically.
• Protect staff from avoidable strain.
• Align technology use with inspection priorities.

This directly supports the leadership and governance judgement, particularly where inspectors consider how leaders balance quality, workload and wellbeing.

By reducing administrative burden, improving learner access to support, and enabling staff to focus on what matters most, Aptem Enhance helps leaders create a sustainable, supportive environment for both learners and staff. This is exactly what Ofsted’s updated framework is designed to encourage. Meeting Ofsted’s expectations around staff wellbeing and workload isn’t optional, it is a core leadership responsibility. Aptem Enhance gives providers practical tools to evidence that responsibility in action.