Ofsted has opened a consultation to consider improving inspections. Schools can provide their views by 28 April 2025.
Report cards
In light of the intention to move away from single-grade judgements, Ofsted proposes to implement a 5-point scale which will range from ‘causing concern’ to a new ‘exemplary’ standard. It is proposed that ‘exemplary’ case studies will be shared by Ofsted to allow other schools to learn from successful examples. This 5-point scale will be used to grade various areas of the school, including curriculum, leadership, attendance, and inclusion.
Education inspection toolkits
Ofsted also proposes to introduce separate inspection toolkits for schools across the sector, outlining the quality Ofsted expects to see at each point on the evaluation scale. Whilst they remain subject to consultation, schools should review the inspection toolkits to ensure that they understand Ofsted’s proposals for evaluation the school’s performance against the various evaluation criteria.
Inspection methodology
As well as changing the presentation of the inspection outcome to parents, Ofsted is also seeking to change its inspection methodology, particularly in respect of the professional interaction and conversation between inspectors and school leaders. Ofsted will no longer use the ‘deep-dive’ methodology, freeing up time to focus on the school’s priorities, and successes and challenges.
Full inspections and monitoring inspections
From November 2025, Ofsted proposes that inspections will be ‘full’ inspections, meaning that ungraded inspections (currently carried out on good and outstanding schools to determine whether the school has maintained the standards identified at the previous inspection) will no longer be carried out. Where a school has one or more evaluation areas graded as ‘attention needed’, it will be subject to a monitoring visit focused only on the areas that need attention.
Schools causing concern
Whilst the two categories of concern (‘special measures’ and ‘serious weaknesses’) will largely remain unchanged, schools with ‘serious weaknesses’ will be referred to as ‘requires significant improvement’ to avoid confusion. As is currently the case, Ofsted will not determine the future of a school placed in a category of concern. In terms of the impact on academy conversion, the Department for Education proposes that, for the next 18-months, structural intervention by way of joining a trust will be the default where a school requires significant improvement.
However, from September 2026, the Department proposes to mandate Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) intervention for schools judged to require significant improvement, to target weaknesses identified. Ofsted is proposing that these schools will be subject to 5 monitoring inspections within 18 months. If the school is still causing concern a full reinspection would be conducted and, if the school is still judged to require significant improvement or has ‘needs attention’ ratings, the default would be to make structural change.
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