Consultation on proposed changes to Ofsted inspections
The Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the way Ofsted undertakes and records its inspections of schools. The proposed changes, intended to come in from the autumn term 2025, would move from the current one or two-word judgements, to a new report card approach describing what inspectors have found on key aspects of each school.
Under the proposals, evaluations will vary slightly by education phase, but all will include a focus on inclusion. Inspectors will assess how well providers support vulnerable and disadvantaged children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A separate part of the report card will say whether the school’s duties with regards to safeguarding have been met.
The other proposed areas for inspection include: – achievement; leadership and governance; curriculum; developing teaching; personal development and wellbeing; attendance; behaviour; and attitudes and inclusion.
The report card will be a suite of grades covering each key area for which there will be five possible grades: – exemplary. strong, secure, attention needed, or causing concern.
The Ofsted consultation asks for views from parents, carers, professionals or learnersabout their proposed new methods for inspection and reporting.
A link to the consultation is available here.
The consultation opened on 3 February and closes on 28 April 2025.
(Source: Norfolk County Council)
