Ofsted changes explained as first set of Lancashire schools inspected under new framework
Schools in Lancashire have received some of the first Ofsted reports under a new framework and below is how it all works.
Earlier this week, we revealed that seven mainstream schools and nurseries across Lancashire received new Ofsted reports in January.
These educational establishments were amongst the first in the UK to be inspected under the new Ofsted framework.
Starting with inspections that took place in November last year, the educational watchdog changed the way in which it judges schools, and these are the reports that have only just come out.
If you find Ofsted reports confusing enough as it is, we have provided a quick explainer of the changes for you below...
So what is new?
Originally educational establishments were judged by whether their provision was ‘inadequate’, ‘requires improvement’, ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
In 2024, Ofsted scrapped single-word judgements for schools - after criticism of the inspection system following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry - and instead just gave judgments for each individual category.
Last year, the government school watchdog launched a public consultation on proposed changes to how it inspects and rates state-funded schools.
Shaking up school inspections had been a key education policy mooted by Labour after their 2024 election win, with plans to move to a more report card-like system.
At last, the new framework was set in stone in Autumn last year and here’s how it now works..
- There is now a five-point grading scale, including the new ‘exceptional’ grade, designed to raise standards, confirmed following support from parents.
- Each category is colour coded, starting with red (’Urgent improvement’), followed by orange (’Needs attention’), light green (’Expected standard’), dark green (’Strong standard’), and blue (’Exemplary’)
- A new category is also being considered by inspectors now - ‘inclusion’, reportedly to Disadvantaged and vulnerable children are also said to be at the heart of the reforms, with an extra focus on ‘inclusion’ in every inspection.
Other changes were also implemented, including:
- In the early years, Ofsted has increased the frequency of inspections from every 6 years to every 4.
- Schools and colleges with identified areas for improvement will receive additional monitoring inspections, to ensure swift improvements are made.
- There is now an increased focus on professionals’ well-being and workload through a more collaborative approach to inspection- this will be assessed within the Leadership and Governance category.
- There will be no more ungraded inspections: almost all routine inspections will be full, graded inspections.
- Parents and carers now receive the detailed information about nurseries, schools and colleges they’ve asked for, with strengths and areas for improvement highlighted.
- An extra inspector will attend the first day of inspection to increase capacity.
- Inspectors can pause an inspection if they have serious concerns about the wellbeing of staff or school leaders.
How has it been received?
Independent polling from YouGov showed strong parental support for the new approach to grading. Almost 7 out of 10 of parents surveyed said they prefer the new-look report cards to Ofsted’s current inspection reports. Just 15% said they preferred the old system. And nearly 9 out of 10 parents said the report cards are easy to understand.
The school leaders' union NAHT has said it will work with Ofsted to look at how the watchdog's new report card system is affecting headteacher wellbeing.
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: "It is crucial that we have independent data that gives clear and honest feedback from leaders who have experienced inspection.
"We look forward to working with Ofsted and ( Department for Education ) officials through the new advisory group to ensure that school leader wellbeing is being prioritised and action taken to support and protect them before, during and after the inspection process."