Understanding inspections, the new framework and the Report Card

1. What is Ofsted?

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) is the indepedent organisation that inspects and regulates schools in England.

Its role is to:

• Inspect schools

• Report findings to parents and carers

• Promote improvement

• Ensure safeguarding is effective

2. What has changed? The New Ofsted Framework (from November 2025)

Ofsted has introduced changes to how schools are inspected and reported.

No more single overall grade

Schools no longer receive one headline judgement (e.g. “Good” or “Outstanding”).

Instead, Ofsted now publishes a Report Card, giving separate judgements across key areas. This gives families a clearer, more balanced picture of the school.

3. What areas are inspected?

Under the new framework, Ofsted evaluates:

• Safeguarding (always a priority)

• Inclusion

• Curriculum and Teaching

• Achievement

• Attendance and Behaviour

• Personal Development and Well-being

• Early Years (where applicable)

• Sixth Form (where applicable)

• Leadership and Governance

Each area receives its own evaluation on the Report Card.

4. What is the Ofsted Report Card?

The Report Card:

✔ Replaces the single overall grade
✔ Shows strengths in different areas
✔ Identifies priorities for improvement
✔ Gives clearer, more detailed information for families

This means a school might be very strong in some areas while still improving in others — and parents can see that clearly.

Here is an example: 

5. What happens during an inspection?

Inspectors will:

• Visit lessons

• Speak to pupils

• Meet with leaders and governors

• Review safeguarding systems

• Look at pupils’ work

• Consider parent and staff views

Parents’ views are an important part of the evidence.

6. Ofsted Parent View – Your Voice Matters

Ofsted Parent View is the official online survey where parents and carers can share their views about the school.

You can complete it at any time — not just during inspection.

Parent View asks about:

• Safety

• Behaviour

• Teaching

• Communication

• Support for SEND

• Bullying

• Leadership

Visit: https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk
Ofsted general enquiries: 0300 123 1231
Concerns line: 0300 123 4666

7. Where can I read inspection reports?

All Ofsted reports are published at:

🔗 https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk