Ofsted consultation into inspection changes

Ofsted has launched a consultation on a new approach to inspection and reporting on education providers, including early years providers.

The proposals include the following:

• Introducing new report cards to give parents a broader picture across different areas of practice
• Removing the ‘single word’ overall effectiveness grade and introducing a new 5-point grading scale across different areas. This scale ranges from ‘causing concern’ at the lowest end, through ‘attention needed’, ‘secure’, ‘strong’, and ‘exemplary’ at the highest end
• A new focus on inclusion and vulnerability and support for disadvantaged children and learners, including those with SEND
• Inspections will take into account providers’ individual circumstance and local context
• Inspectors will use new education inspection toolkits to tailor inspections based on different types of providers

For further information and / or to respond to the consultation see: Improving the way Ofsted inspects education – GOV.UK

Closing date to respond is Monday 28th April 2025.