Improving the way Ofsted inspects education: consultation
Ofsted have recently carried out a review of the Education Inspection Framework which included ‘The Big Listen’. A summary of findings can be found here. Following the review proposals for a new inspection model have been published for consultation. The model includes:
- Introducing the Ofsted report card, giving parents detailed information about standards across more areas of practice in their child’s school, early years, or further education provider.
- Replacing the ‘single word judgement’ with a new 5-point grading scale for each evaluation area, including a new top ‘exemplary’ grade to help raise standards.
- Returning to schools with identified weaknesses, to check timely action is being taken to raise standards.
- Increasing focus on support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children and learners, including those with SEND.
- More emphasis on providers’ circumstances and local context.
The consultation closes on 28 April 2025.
Ofsted inspection framework
The current Education Inspection Framework (2019) can be found here.
Overall effectiveness is judged across the four areas of:
- quality of education
- personal development
- behaviour and attitudes
- leadership and management
Devon Education Services can offer support with the education inspection framework to schools.
Schools subject to a Section 5 inspection will receive a graded outcome against each of the 4 areas of the EIF.
Section 8 inspections are ungraded. A Fast 15 video detailing changes to ungraded inspections from September 2024 can be found here.
The timing of inspections is set out in part 1 of the Inspection Handbook. How and when schools are inspected will depend on the date, outcome and type of inspection a school last received. However, from November 2025, all inspections will be ‘full’ inspections. Ofsted will no longer carry out ungraded inspections.