Who Are Ofsted?

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They are the government body responsible for inspecting schools and other education and childcare settings in England.

Their role is to check how well schools are educating children, how safe pupils are, and how effectively schools are led and managed. Ofsted is independent and reports its findings publicly so that parents, carers and the wider community can understand how schools are performing.

What Is an Ofsted Inspection?

An Ofsted inspection is a visit to the school by trained inspectors who look at how well the school is doing and how it can improve.

During an inspection, inspectors will:

• visit lessons and learning activities

• talk to pupils about their experiences

• meet with school leaders and staff

• look at pupils’ work

• review information about attendance, behaviour and progress

• check safeguarding arrangements to ensure children are kept safe

• take account of parents’ and carers’ views

Inspections help ensure that schools provide a high-quality education and a safe, supportive environment for all children.

 

The New Ofsted Inspection Framework (from November 2025)

From November 2025, Ofsted introduced a new inspection framework designed to give clearer and more detailed information about how schools are performing.

Instead of giving schools a single overall grade, Ofsted now produces a report card. This shows how the school is doing across several important areas of school life.

These areas typically include:

• curriculum and teaching

• achievement

• attendance and behaviour

• personal development and wellbeing

• leadership and governance

• inclusion

Safeguarding is judged separately and is recorded as either effective or not effective.

Each area is graded using a five-point scale:

• exceptional

• strong standard

• expected standard

• needs attention

• urgent improvement

This approach helps parents and carers clearly see a school’s strengths and the areas it is working to improve.

 

What Is Ofsted Parent View?

Parent View is Ofsted’s online questionnaire for parents and carers. It gives you the chance to share your views about your child’s school.

You can complete Parent View at any time during the year, and especially when the school is being inspected. Questions ask about:

• your child’s happiness and safety

• behaviour and attitudes

• teaching and learning

• communication with families

• support for additional needs

• whether you would recommend the school

Inspectors use Parent View responses as part of the evidence they consider during an inspection. The results also help schools understand what families think and where improvements may be needed.

Parent View is confidential. It should not be used to raise urgent concerns or safeguarding issues, which should always be reported directly to the school.

 

What This Means for Parents and Carers

The new inspection framework is designed to:

• give clearer information about different aspects of school life

• focus on children’s wellbeing, inclusion and achievement

• help schools continue to improve

• ensure parents’ and carers’ voices are heard

We welcome feedback from our families and encourage parents and carers to take part in Parent View when it is available.

 

Overview of Ofsted Report May 2024