Many education providers will be aware that we are now in a transitionary period as Ofsted consults on a new Education Inspection Framework (“EIF”), together with the introduction of report cards from September 2025.
The changes are coming as a result of The Big Listen consultation and other ongoing discussions between Ofsted and education providers in the sector.
Earlier this year, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, appeared before the education select committee.
He provided a summary of the progress made in relation to the Ruth Perry Prevention of Future Death Report and Dame Christine Gilbert’s review with an overview of what he calls “systemic” changes coming in 2025 including information about what he believed the new report card should look like. He emphasised the need to continue to make changes to ensure that inspections are fair, proportionate whilst continuing to drive standards.
In total, 132 actions have been set in response to the Big Listen and Dame Christine Gilbert’s review in order to achieve Ofsted’s following goals:
- “Reset our relationship with those we regulate and inspect, working collaboratively with them to put children and learners first.”
- “Foster a culture of integrity in which we always treat people with professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect.”
- “Be a learning organisation that operates transparently, listens to challenge and takes action to change.”
Report cards and new EIF for schools
A formal consultation is taking place in relation to the proposed new report card system for schools ready for its intended introduction in September 2025.
During the summer term of 2025, Ofsted will start to pilot the new inspections under the new EIF and will begin to deliver training on the new framework.
In September 2025, the new EIF will be introduced together with the report card system. The intention of the report card is to provide parents with a more comprehensive picture of how a school is performing across various areas, rather than the use of a single word judgement.
The criteria in the new report card could and is likely to include information about:
- Safeguarding arrangements;
- Teaching curriculum;
- Opportunities for pupils to thrive and school values;
- Academic progress and attainment;
- Inclusivity and community involvement.
Inclusivity will likely evaluate whether schools are providing high-quality support for children and young people with vulnerabilities such as socio-economic disadvantage and SEND.
Inspection notification
Under the new proposals, schools will be notified of an Ofsted inspection on a Monday of a working week, with the Ofsted inspectors visiting on a Tuesday and Wednesday of that week. This is said to reduce stress for school staff as they would not be waiting all week for an inspection call.
Safeguarding
Ofsted is planning annual reviews of safeguarding arrangements, attendance and off-rolling. Routine inspections will also review these areas, and it will be a criteria of the new report cards.
Ofsted has piloted a new approach, of “suspend and return” policy for schools that are judged “inadequate” for leadership and management solely due to ineffective safeguarding. Under the pilot, the publication of an inspection report is paused when safeguarding concerns are identified in “otherwise high-performing schools”. Ofsted gives school leaders three months to address any concerns before a re-inspection. Schools are required to send a letter to parents to inform them of the situation. This current practice features in the updated version of the School Inspection Handbook guidance.
Summary
There have already been some changes made to the way in which Ofsted approaches its inspection activity and reporting. We have seen the updated version of Ofsted’s complaints policy (post April 2024) and the way in which it deals with factual accuracy comments, concerns about inspector conduct, proportionality and more. There will be significant changes to the EIF this year and more to come with updates planned later down the line for other provision regulated by Ofsted.
We are a specialist team of lawyers advising in relation to Ofsted regulation. Should you require any assistance in respect of inspection activity from Ofsted or enforcement action, please do not hesitate to contact Associate Solicitor, Alice Thursfield, at [email protected] or 01202 786353 so that we can discuss your current situation as soon as possible.
