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Ofsted inspection

A guide to Ofsted inspection

What governing boards can expect from inspection, what inspectors look for, and steps to take following an inspection.

Guidance
27/11/2024
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UPDATE: The school inspection and accountability system is currently being reformed. Routine inspections will be paused during the autumn term while Ofsted’s pilots a new inspection framework and report cards. We expect to see a phased return to inspections from November under the new framework.

Changes are also planned to how the government supports underperforming schools, with new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams.

We’re working on updating our Ofsted resources to ensure NGA members are informed throughout these developments.

Ofsted is responsible for inspecting maintained schools and academies to make sure that they are providing a high standard of education. Our guide to Ofsted inspection has been developed to help governing boards:

  • know what to expect from an Ofsted inspection
  • understand what inspectors look at and some of the evidence they consult
  • take steps following inspection to support school improvement

Changes to inspection

Download the guide to find out about recent changes to inspection following Ofsted's Big Listen, including:

  • the removal of single headline grades (schools will still receive grades for the four existing key judgement areas) – Ofsted is developing report cards to replace this in 2025
  • the removal of ‘deep dives’ from ungraded inspections
  • a revised process for pausing and deferring inspections
  • notice for all routine inspections (graded and ungraded) in the form of a phone call will be given on a Monday with inspections to start on a Tuesday
  • a new pilot approach to safeguarding reporting – school leaders may be given 3 months to resolve safeguarding issues if the school is doing well in all other areas

A guide to Ofsted inspection

Ofsted guidance

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