Inspections

Please be aware that this web page and all associated documents are being reviewed during July & August 2026.  This will be completed by 1st September 2026.

The resources on this page are reviewed annually at least.  They will be updated as and when necessary.

The revised Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF) applied to inspections from 10 November 2025 and introduced significant changes to how schools, colleges, early years settings and other providers are evaluated: 

Key Changes

• Separate judgements replace the single overall effectiveness grade.
• Safeguarding is graded Met/Not Met.
• Inclusion becomes a standalone judgement.
• Greater emphasis on wellbeing, inclusion and impact.

Schools

• Focus areas: Safeguarding, Inclusion, Curriculum and Teaching, Achievement, Attendance and Behaviour, Personal Development and Wellbeing, Leadership and Governance.
• DSL evidence: policies, training, SCR, safeguarding records, referrals, pupil voice, inclusion practice, wellbeing support and impact evidence.
• Key question: How do you know your most vulnerable pupils are safe, included, attending and thriving?

Early Years

• Focus areas: Safeguarding, Inclusion, Children’s Welfare and Wellbeing, Behaviour, Attitudes and Establishing Routines.
• Emphasis on emotional security, attachment, early identification of need and readiness for school.
• Key question: How do you know every child is safe, included, emotionally secure, developing well and ready for their next stage of learning?

Post-16 / Sixth Form

• Focus areas: Achievement, Curriculum, Inclusion, Wellbeing, Attendance, Safeguarding and Destinations.
• Safeguarding emphasis on contextual risks, exploitation, online safety and Prevent.
• Key question: How do you know vulnerable sixth-form students are safe, included, attending, achieving and progressing to adulthood?

FE Colleges

• Judgements: Safeguarding, Inclusion, Leadership and Governance, Contribution to Meeting Skills Needs.
• Provision judgements include Curriculum, Achievement and Participation and Development.
• Key question: How do you know vulnerable learners are safe, included, developing personally and progressing successfully?

Key questions Across All Phases