Ofsted’s new Inspection Framework and Report Cards

Ofsted have set out a renewed approach to education inspection with the intention that they will give parents better and more detailed information, that it is fairer on professionals, and will help raise standards for all children.

Read the Press Release.

What's Changing?

New Look Report Cards Launch from November 2025

Ofsted is introducing detailed report cards graded on a five-point scale:

• ‘urgent improvement’

• ‘needs attention’

• ‘expected standard’

• ‘strong standard’

• ‘exceptional’

This aims to offer a clearer, more nuanced view of school quality.

Six Focus Areas with More In-depth Insight

• Instead of one broad judgment, schools will now be evaluated across: Inclusion, Curriculum & Teaching, Achievement, Attendance & Behaviour, Personal Development & Wellbeing, Leadership & Governance.

• Safeguarding will be reported separately as ‘met’ or ‘not met’.

Increased Inspection Frequency

• Early years providers will be inspected every four years instead of six.

• Schools or colleges falling below expected standards will receive prompt monitoring inspections to drive rapid improvement.

• There will be a sharper focus on inclusion with every inspection including a dedicated judgment on how well settings support disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, and those in care.

Supporting Staff Wellbeing

• In response to concerns from teachers about inspection-related stress, Ofsted will add an extra inspector to the team to help ease workload and pressure.

Why It Matters for Safeguarding

Intentions:

• Greater Transparency and Better Accountability: Parents and practitioners will gain visibility into how schools are performing in critical domains such as safeguarding, inclusion, and leadership. This clarity supports more proactive safeguarding oversight.

• Sharper Early Years Safeguarding Oversight: With more frequent inspections for early years providers, consistent standards of safety and care can be reinforced more regularly.

• Inclusion Judgment Reflects Child-Centred Practice: The ‘inclusion’ grade ensures that settings’ support for vulnerable groups, including children with SEND or social care status, remains under scrutiny.

• Collaborative Approach to Inspections: The changes aim to foster fairness and remove the adversarial nature of previous inspections which is crucial for school leaders working to maintain a safeguarding-led ethos.

Safeguarding Takeaway

• Expect more regular assessments of early years providers and sharper monitoring when concerns emerge.

• Protect children better by understanding the new detailed performance breakdown, including safeguarding and inclusion.

• A more transparent system coupled with added inspection support can help promote safer and inclusive educational environments.

Join us on September 29th at 4pm for a free webinar: Strengthening your Safeguarding Culture and Practice under the New Inspection Framework . Register here: https://zurl.co/NQzoT

Our Safeguarding and Inspection course runs on 3rd October. Find out more and book your place.