When Will My School Be Inspected by Ofsted?

Understanding when your school will receive its next Ofsted inspection can feel confusing, especially with the introduction of the new framework in November 2025.

So here's a straightforward guide to help you plan ahead.

While you're here, grab this free inspection toolkit update for an overview of the changes to the framework

If Your Last Inspection Was Before November 2025

The timing of your next inspection depends on your school's previous overall effectiveness grading:

Outstanding or Good schools (with no key judgements graded requires improvement)

• You'll receive a full graded inspection approximately 4 years after your previous inspection

Requires Improvement schools (either overall effectiveness or any key judgement)

• You'll receive a full graded inspection within 2.5 years of your last inspection report's publication date
• You will NOT receive monitoring inspections under the new framework

Schools in a Category of Concern (Special Measures or Serious Weaknesses/Requires Significant Improvement)

• Your monitoring continues, but the process now adapts to the new framework
• Read on for what this means for you

Special Guidance for Schools Previously in a Category of Concern

If your school was placed in a category of concern because any key judgements were inadequate and/or safeguarding was ineffective, here's what to expect:

Your Monitoring Call

Your allocated HMI will telephone you approximately 6-9 months after your last inspection (but not before January 2026). During this call, they will:

• Explain how you'll now be monitored using the renewed framework and toolkit
• Agree timing for your next monitoring inspection

Your Monitoring Inspections

These visits will look different from before:

• Inspections will focus on the evaluation areas most relevant to your previously identified weaknesses
• Inspectors will NOT grade any evaluation areas during monitoring visits
• You haven't yet had a full inspection under the new framework, so you don't have a report card to update

Your Monitoring Reports

Instead of receiving grades, you'll receive a monitoring inspection report that:

• Celebrates improvements since your last full inspection
• Validates leaders' actions
• Highlights where further improvement is still needed

Moving Forward

You'll continue in this monitoring programme until you receive your first full inspection under the new framework. At that point:

• You'll receive a report card with grades
• Any future monitoring (if needed) will follow the new framework structure

The Key Message

The new framework represents a shift towards more supportive, developmental monitoring for schools working to improve. If you're in a monitoring programme, your inspections will focus on progress and improvement rather than simply assigning grades.

For more detailed guidance on preparing for your inspection, explore our range of inspection preparation resources and blogs, designed specifically for the 2025 framework.