diff --git a/pipeline/transform/models/staging/stg_ofsted_inspections.sql b/pipeline/transform/models/staging/stg_ofsted_inspections.sql
index 0a88467..54eae5c 100644
--- a/pipeline/transform/models/staging/stg_ofsted_inspections.sql
+++ b/pipeline/transform/models/staging/stg_ofsted_inspections.sql
@@ -7,19 +7,19 @@ with source as (
 
 renamed as (
     select
-        cast(urn as integer)                                as urn,
-        cast(inspection_date as date)                       as inspection_date,
+        cast(urn as integer)                                                    as urn,
+        nullif(trim(inspection_date), 'NULL')::date                             as inspection_date,
         inspection_type,
-        event_type_grouping                                 as framework,
+        event_type_grouping                                                     as framework,
 
         -- OEIF grades (1-4 scale)
-        cast(overall_effectiveness as integer)              as overall_effectiveness,
-        cast(quality_of_education as integer)               as quality_of_education,
-        cast(behaviour_and_attitudes as integer)            as behaviour_attitudes,
-        cast(personal_development as integer)               as personal_development,
-        cast(effectiveness_of_leadership_and_management as integer) as leadership_management,
-        cast(early_years_provision as integer)              as early_years_provision,
-        cast(sixth_form_provision as integer)               as sixth_form_provision,
+        {{ safe_numeric('overall_effectiveness') }}::integer                    as overall_effectiveness,
+        {{ safe_numeric('quality_of_education') }}::integer                     as quality_of_education,
+        {{ safe_numeric('behaviour_and_attitudes') }}::integer                  as behaviour_attitudes,
+        {{ safe_numeric('personal_development') }}::integer                     as personal_development,
+        {{ safe_numeric('effectiveness_of_leadership_and_management') }}::integer as leadership_management,
+        {{ safe_numeric('early_years_provision') }}::integer                    as early_years_provision,
+        {{ safe_numeric('sixth_form_provision') }}::integer                     as sixth_form_provision,
 
         -- Report Card fields (post-Nov 2025 framework)
         -- TODO: add rc_* columns to tap-uk-ofsted schema once CSV column names are confirmed