Schools return this week to the news that immediate changes have been made to the inspection framework and inspection process and that we are now in a transition period, towards a new Ofsted Framework and the introduction of ‘report cards’ in September 2025.
The changes being implemented follow the ‘Big Listen’ consultation and on-going discussions with the sector and unions. The current Inspection Framework remains in place for this academic year, with some immediate changes. So, what does this mean for schools and school leaders?
Immediate Changes
- Single-word overall judgements removed. Schools will now longer receive a one word grade for overall effectiveness.
- Schools will be notified of an inspection on a Monday, removing the pressure and potential wellbeing impact of waiting most of the week for a phonecall. Ofsted will announce all routine inspections on a Monday for that week. Inspections will then take place over the following two days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Ofsted inspectors will be expected to write reports on Thursdays. The aim is to reduce stress and anxiety around knowing when inspections are taking place and remove the waiting for a phonecall until Weds / Thurs culture that currently exists.
- Introduction of a Friday ‘Ofsted Academy’. Ofsted have said that this will be a “single place that draws together…induction, training, learning, development and good practice work”.. Fridays will also be used for ‘national consistency panels’. Mental Health Training has also been made part of the regular training for inspectors.
- The pausing of inspection reports over safeguarding. Where safeguarding is a concern, Inspectors will revisit the school within three months. This is to allow schools and leaders time to remedy issues, prior to DFE intervention. Parents and carers will still be informed regarding safeguarding concerns and if at the end of the process, safeguarding remains ineffective, leadership and management will be rated as ‘ineffective’ which could trigger DFE intervention.
- Schools will still receive gradings in the four sub-category areas of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management. Early Years and Sixth Forms also still receive separate gradings. These are inspected using the current Inspection Framework.
When are things happening?
- Graded inspections (section 5) for schools are on hold until 23rd September 2024. These will continue to include deep dives associated with the four sub-categories.
- Ungraded inspections (section 8) resume 5th October 2024. The additional delay is to allow for additional training. Ungraded inspections will no longer include deep dives.
- January 2025: formal consultation will open on the new report card system, for introduction from September 2025. In addition, regional improvement teams will begin to work, on a voluntary basis, with schools graded “requires improvement” in consecutive inspections.
- Summer Term 2025: Ofsted will pilot the new inspections and deliver training.
- September 2025: a new Inspection Framework and report card will be introduced.
What can we expect in the future?
Whilst nothing has been formally agreed, Ofsted and Sir Martyn have made clear the direction they indeed to take and given suggestions of these including:
- The new Report Card system will be introduced, as part of a move towards a more comprehensive assessment of school performance. From September 2025, parents will receive detailed School Report Cards that provide a full picture of how schools are performing in various areas.
- Ofsted has said that criteria in the new report card will include safeguarding and inclusion. Early discussions around the new ‘inclusion’ focus has suggested much greater scrutiny around disadvantage, such as pupil premium and those pupils with Special Educational Needs. Wellbeing may also gain greater scrutiny to assess whether children and young people are being encouraged to “thrive”.
- Addressing national issues. Sir Martyn Oliver, Chief Inspector has highlighted that attendance will be reviewed to ensure that Government legislation and guidance for safeguarding attendance and off-rolling reviews will become part of the new inspection framework. This is part of Ofsted seeking to ensure that it is address national issues, as part of its Framework.
- New inspection framework: A new inspection framework for schools, early years, and further education sectors will be developed, with a focus on pupil outcomes and other key areas.
- Safeguarding and inclusion: Ofsted will introduce a new standalone assessment of safeguarding and will consult on a new inclusion and safeguarding grading system.
Currently, leaders and schools will continue to prepare as you have been, under the current Framework, recognising the changes outlined above whilst we are in this transition period. More information is to be shared, across the 2024-2025 academic year, so schools can prepare for the new Ofsted landscape. For information on the support available from TT Education, please contact us directly or visit the website.
