(3 minute read)
The Ofsted school inspection framework is changing. The Government published a consultation document at the start of February 2025, with changes to the way schools are inspected from November. Proposed changes aim to improve the model by reducing the pressure on schools and making it a “more collaborative, transparent and accessible inspection model.” They see it as a chance for “shared professional reflection” on what is working well or what needs to improve, in line with existing standards and expectations. There will still be a focus on curriculum, early reading and safeguarding.
Context will be important. The new inspections will start with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities provided by the particular context a school is working in. This will also include using local area data to help understand how leaders prioritise. There will be a focus on outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and how those pupils learn. Time-consuming deep dives into particular subjects areas will no longer take place. For consistency, every inspection will be a full graded inspection.
The consultation on the changes will run from 3 February 2025 to 28 April. Members of the public can respond through an online survey.
Report Cards
The Government has said that it heard a clear message from parents, carers and professionals that the current ‘single-word judgement’ should go. This overall effectiveness grade is to be replaced by much more detailed report cards. The report cards will include a grade and a short description that summarises the findings, across a number of different areas. There will be five possible grades, from: causing concern, attention needed, secure, strong to exemplary. With secure being the expected level.
If any school has an area that is graded as ‘causing concern’, then the DfE will step in. And where a school has a number of ‘attention needed’ grades, Ofsted would return more frequently to check that improvements have been made. The evaluation areas that will receive a grade are: achievement, attendance, behaviour and attitudes, curriculum, developing teaching, inclusion, personal development and well-being, as well as sixth form or early years, if applicable. Safeguarding will be judged separately as met or not met. There will be no return to formal lesson observations.
Inspection Toolkits
The inspection toolkits
are specific to the type of provider. They describe, in detail, what each of
the standards looks like, across evaluation areas and at different levels or
grades. They are clear and transparent, much like an exam mark scheme. They will
hold providers to account for ‘inclusive education’, meaning that they will
have high expectations for all learners. “This includes strong outcomes for
disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND and those who leaders have identified as
being particularly vulnerable.”
How can Educater Support?
A range of good data is important for any school to support continuous improvement, in the run up to, and in between, inspections. Educater Envision provides a flexible tracking system, across all age groups and types of providers. It provides a wealth of data and analysis to track and support early interventions for all learners. Schools can track against individual targets for single pupils, such as those on an EHCP, and small groups of learners, as well track progress across a whole cohort. Envision will also be able to link to our SEND management tool to optimise internal processes.
Conclusion
The new Ofsted inspections will begin later this year, after a period of consultation. The proposals include more detailed report cards instead of single-word judgements. Schools will be judged within the local and demographic context within which they are working, so that they can be fairly compared with other similar providers. Having a bespoke tracking system that can track whatever data the school needs, including contextual data, is a way to support progress for all learners. This includes those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND.
Book your free demo here: Educater Envision
