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Understanding Ofsted's new inspection model and report cards
In a significant shift aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in educational assessments, Ofsted has unveiled a new inspection framework set to be come into force in November 2025.
The main Ofsted changes for 2025 include detailed report cards and a revised evaluation system. These updates aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of school performance, ultimately benefiting educators, parents, and stakeholders alike.
Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted chief inspector, said:
“This process will give fairer, more rounded, better information, both to the school and to parents, as well as taking into [account] the context of a school and the individual strengths and areas of improvement.”
However, the proposed changes come with challenges. Despite the focus on transparency, the launch documentation is lengthy and complex. That’s why we’ve created a video showing the key Ofsted changes in 2025 and provided additional insights below.
Key components of the new inspection model
How the new model compares to the existing Ofsted model
The single-word judgments Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate of the Ofsted system will be more from November 2025. The previous model was seen as high-stakes and simplistic, often creating immense pressure on school leaders and staff. Optimists hope that by removing one word grading and considering contextual challenges, the new model will support rather than penalise schools.
The focus of inspections will also evolve, placing less emphasis on attainment data and compliance and more on teaching quality, staff wellbeing, and pupil support. Schools will receive targeted recommendations rather than an overall grade. The aim of this is to reduce workplace stress and improve staff retention. However, concerns remain over potential subjectivity and the increased workload involved in self-evaluation. Parents will also need to adjust to a new way of interpreting school performance, as the absence of a single-word rating may make quick comparisons more challenging.
Detailed report cards
The new report cards will assess schools across up to 11 distinct areas, depending on the institution's offerings. Each setting will be evaluated on:
1. Curriculum: Evaluating the design and implementation of the school's curriculum.
2. Developing teaching: Assessing the quality and effectiveness of teaching practices.
3. Leadership and governance: Reviewing the effectiveness of school leadership and management structures.
4. Behaviour and attitudes: Observing pupil conduct and the school's approach to fostering positive behaviour.
5. Attendance: Monitoring pupil attendance rates and the effectiveness of attendance policies.
6. Personal development and well-being: Assessing how the school supports pupils' personal growth and mental health.
7. Achievement: Measuring pupil progress and academic outcomes.
8. Inclusion: Evaluating the support provided to vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
9. Safeguarding: Ensuring that the school meets required standards for pupil safeguarding and welfare.
For schools with early years settings (EYFS) or sixth forms, additional categories will be included, potentially bringing the total to 11 areas of assessment. This comprehensive approach aims to provide a holistic view of a school's performance, moving beyond the limitations of a single overarching grade.
Five-point grading scale
Notably, safeguarding will be assessed on a binary scale: "Met" or "Not Met," reflecting its critical importance. This detailed grading system is intended to offer clearer insights into specific strengths and areas needing improvement within schools.
Ofsted Changes 2025: Contextual considerations
One of the most forward-thinking aspects of the Ofsted changes 2025 is the inclusion of contextual data in inspections. For example, student demographics, local area characteristics, and attendance figures. This approach ensures that evaluations are grounded in the realities of each school's environment, promoting fairness and understanding. Schools operating in areas with higher socio-economic challenges will have their efforts and progress assessed with these factors in mind.
Elimination of ungraded inspections and deep dives
In response to feedback, Ofsted will discontinue ungraded inspections and the practice of subject-specific "deep dives." Instead, inspections will provide a complete assessment of the school's performance across all areas. We hope that this change will be positive for educators as they will know assessment criteria in advance rather than experiencing the high stress of unexpected “deep dives”.
Introduction of inspection toolkits
To demystify the inspection process, Ofsted will provide schools with detailed toolkits outlining the standards and criteria for each assessment area. These resources are designed to help schools prepare effectively for inspections and understand the benchmarks against which they will be evaluated. During inspections, a senior staff member from the school will be invited to collaborate closely with inspectors.
Engagement and feedback opportunities
Educators are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new categories and grading criteria to align their practices accordingly. The inclusion of contextual data is particularly noteworthy, as it acknowledges the unique challenges faced by different schools and aims to assess performance within that context. How this is applied in practice remains to be seen.
One positive is that Ofsted has opened a consultation period (until 28 April 2025) inviting feedback from educators, parents, and other stakeholders.
Schools and individuals are encouraged to participate in this process, contributing their insights and perspectives to shape the final implementation of the framework. To actively engage in Ofsted's consultation on the proposed inspection reforms follow these steps:
- Review the consultation document: Familiarise yourself with the detailed proposals outlined in the consultation document, which covers changes to inspection frameworks, report cards, and evaluation criteria.
- Access the online survey: Make your voice heard by submitting your feedback through the official online survey. The survey is structured to gather insights from various stakeholders, including educators, parents, and learners.
- Participate in focus groups and testing: Ofsted will be organising focus groups during the consultation period schools and education settings can express interest in joining these sessions.
Conclusion
The 2025 Ofsted changes mark a major evolution in how England’s schools are assessed. By shifting toward a more detailed, contextual, and collaborative model, the new framework aims to deliver fairer and more meaningful evaluations.
Note: This article is based on information available as of February 2025. For the most current details and updates, please refer to official Ofsted communications and publications.
