Summary: Ofsted Inspection Framework Changes 2025

The landscape of school inspections is set to transform dramatically in 2025. Following extensive consultation and feedback from the education sector, Ofsted has announced the most significant changes to its Education Inspection Framework (EIF) in years. These changes represent a fundamental shift from the current system, moving away from single-word judgements to a more nuanced, comprehensive approach that promises to better reflect the complexity of school performance.

For school leaders, understanding these changes is essential for strategic planning, staff preparation and maintaining school standards. The challenge many leaders face is that crucial information about these changes is scattered across multiple Ofsted documents, consultation responses and guidance updates. Piecing together a complete picture requires hours of reading through technical documentation, cross-referencing different sources and translating policy language into practical action steps. We understand that school leaders are already managing countless priorities, so we've gathered all the essential information here.

Key Timeline: When Changes Take Effect

Inspection Suspension Period

Currently, routine inspections are suspended until 10th November 2025 at the earliest. This suspension provides schools with crucial time to understand and prepare for the new framework without the pressure of imminent inspection.

Phased Return Schedule

• 10th November 2025: Early years, state-funded schools and FE and skills inspections resume
• January 2026: Initial teacher education (ITE) and non-association independent school inspections resume

Priority System for Early Inspections

Between 10th November and Christmas 2025, Ofsted will prioritise schools that have volunteered for inspection under the new system. If your state-funded school hasn't volunteered, you won't be inspected before 1st December 2025, giving you additional preparation time.

Strategic consideration: Should your school volunteer for early inspection? This decision depends on your readiness level and confidence in meeting the new standards.

From Single-Word Judgements to Report Cards

The End of Overall Effectiveness Grades

The most significant change is the complete removal of single-word overall judgements like "Outstanding," "Good," "Requires Improvement," and "Inadequate." Instead, schools will receive detailed report cards that provide a much more comprehensive picture of performance.

What Will a Report Card Include?

Your school's report card will evaluate the following areas:

1. Safeguarding (Stand-alone judgement: Met/Not Met)
2. Inclusion
3. Curriculum and Teaching
4. Achievement
5. Attendance and Behaviour
6. Personal Development and Wellbeing
7. Leadership and Governance
8. Early Years (if applicable)
9. Sixth Form (if applicable)

Image of an example Ofsted Report Card 'At a Glance' Summary

New 5-Point Grading System

All areas, except safeguarding, will be evaluated using a refined 5-point scale:

• Exceptional: Outstanding performance that goes above and beyond expectations
• Strong Standard: Consistently high performance across the area
• Expected Standard: Meeting all requirements and expectations effectively
• Needs Attention: Some aspects require improvement but not urgent intervention
• Urgent Improvement: Significant weaknesses requiring immediate action

Each grade will be accompanied by a narrative explanation, providing context and specific feedback about your school's performance in that area.

Image of an example of the new Ofsted Report Card commentary

All Inspections Will Be Graded

The framework eliminates ungraded inspections. All routine inspections will now be full, graded inspections. The only exception will be monitoring inspections for schools in categories of concern.

Categories of Concern: What Triggers Intervention?

When do Schools Enter Categories of Concern?

A school will be placed into a category of concern if:

• Any area receives an "Urgent Improvement" grade, OR
• Safeguarding is judged as "Not Met"

Two Categories of Concern

1. Special Measures: Applied when Leadership and Governance also receives "Urgent Improvement"
2. Requires Significant Improvement: Applied when Leadership and Governance is not graded "Urgent Improvement"

Monitoring Inspection Schedule

Schools in categories of concern will receive monitoring inspections once every term, focusing specifically on areas requiring improvement. This represents a more intensive support approach than the current system.

Additional Monitoring for "Needs Attention"

Schools with any area graded as "Needs Attention" will also receive targeted monitoring inspections, but these will focus only on the specific areas below "Expected Standard."

Inspection Process Changes: What to Expect

No More Deep Dives

One of the most welcomed changes for school leaders is the elimination of deep dives into specific curriculum subjects. This change directly responds to feedback about the excessive workload these created for middle leaders.

Instead, inspectors will:

• Focus on your school's specific context and improvement priorities
• Gather evidence across all core inspection areas systematically
• Use the criteria outlined in the new school inspection toolkit

School Nomination System

Schools can now nominate a senior staff member to work with inspectors throughout the process. This nominee will support:

• Planning and preparation activities
• Communication between the inspection team and school
• Engagement activities during the inspection

Important note: This is optional, not mandatory. Schools can choose whether this approach would benefit their inspection experience.

Enhanced Inspector Capacity and Wellbeing Focus

Other changes include:

• An extra inspector will attend the first day to boost capacity
• Mental health training will be given for all school inspectors
• Reasonable time frames implemented such as the first day of inspection finishing by 5pm
• Inspectors can pause inspections if they have wellbeing concerns about school leaders or staff

Preparing Your School: Action Steps for Leaders

Immediate Actions (Now - November 2025)

1. Study the consultation outcome document thoroughly
2. Brief your senior leadership team on all changes
3. Inform your governing board about the new framework
4. Review the school inspection toolkit when released
5. Consider whether to nominate a staff member for inspector liaison

Medium-term Planning (November 2025 - January 2026)

1. Evaluate your school against the new criteria using the toolkit
2. Identify areas that might be graded "Needs Attention" or below
3. Develop improvement strategies for weaker areas
4. Prepare evidence that demonstrates effective practice across all evaluation areas

Long-term Strategy (2026 onwards)

1. Integrate the evaluation areas into your school improvement planning
2. Develop systems for continuous self-evaluation using the new criteria
3. Ensure staff understanding of how their roles contribute to each evaluation area
4. Plan professional development aligned with the new expectations

At Honeyguide, we are busy creating support materials in response to these changes and updates, to help you navigate and feel confident regarding an upcoming inspection. Our Whole-School Audit Tools are the perfect place to begin and the Ofsted Preparation Packs are ideal for working with your team to ensure you have everything you need in place.