Key Changes to Ofsted Inspections (2025/26)
1. New Report Card Format.
- Replaces the previous single-word judgements (e.g., Outstanding, Good).
- Schools will now receive a multi-dimensional report card with a 5-point grading scale:
- Exceptional
- Strong Standard
- Expected Standard
- Needs Attention
- Urgent Improvement
- A narrative explanation for each grade.
- Contextual data to support more nuanced reporting.
2. Expanded Evaluation Areas.
Schools will be assessed across 6–8 core areas, including:
- Curriculum and teaching
- Leadership and governance
- Attendance and behaviour
- Achievement
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Inclusion
- Early years and post-16 provision (if applicable)
- Safeguarding (graded separately as ‘met’ or ‘not met’)
3. Removal of Deep Dives.
- Subject-specific deep dives will be discontinued.
Inspectors will focus on school context, strategic priorities, and overall improvement efforts.
4. Inclusion as a Standalone Category.
- Inclusion now has its own evaluation area, focusing on:
- Identification of pupils needing support.
- Leadership intent and ambition for inclusive practice.
5. Monitoring and Support.
- Schools graded as ‘urgent improvement’ or ‘not met’ in safeguarding will be placed in a category of concern:
- Special measures or significant improvement depending on leadership and governance.
- Termly monitoring inspections will follow.
6. Inspection Logistics and Wellbeing.
- Inspections will end by 5pm on the first day.
- Inspectors receive mental health training and can pause inspections for wellbeing concerns.
- Schools may nominate a senior staff member to support inspection planning.
7. New Data Tools.
- Launch of ‘Ofsted: Explore an Area’ to provide public access to inspection data and school comparisons.
Implications for Schools.
- The new framework aims to reduce pressure, improve transparency, and provide more balanced insights into school performance.
- However, concerns remain about workload, subjectivity, and parental understanding of the new grading system.