Ofsted Unveils Report Card Reform: New Standards Explained

Yesterday, Ofsted confirmed its response to the 12-week consultation, triggered in February, and announced the changes to the inspection framework set to take effect from November 2025.

Key highlights for education providers:

New 5-Point Grading Scale

Providers will no longer receive a single-word judgment (e.g. “Outstanding” or “Inadequate”). Instead, each evaluation area will be graded as:

• Urgent improvement
• Needs attention
• Expected standard
• Strong standard
• Exceptional

This change reflects consultation feedback aimed at improving clarity and fairness.

Streamlined Evaluation Areas

The number of core inspection areas has been reduced for clarity:

• Inclusion
• Curriculum & teaching
• Achievement
• Attendance & behaviour
• Personal development & wellbeing
• Leadership & governance
• Safeguarding will still be judged separately, as “met” or “not met”

Report Cards will include Narrative Context

Each grade will be accompanied by narrative explanations and rich contextual information – like school demographics, SEND prevalence, or deprivation levels – to give a fuller, more nuanced view of performance.

Monitoring and Support Intensified

Where any area falls below the expected standard, more frequent “monitoring inspections” will kick in. Early years settings will see inspections increasing from every six to every four years.

Focus on Inclusion, Wellbeing & Responsiveness

The reforms emphasise disadvantaged and vulnerable learners, with every inspection featuring an “inclusion” grade.

Additional measures, such as adding an extra inspector to inspection teams, are intended to better support professionals and safeguard wellbeing – though some critics question whether “high-stakes” stress can truly be reduced and whether this focus will, in reality, make any difference to the application of the relevant frameworks.

Scheduled Rollout

• From 10 November 2025: Implementation begins for early years, state-funded schools, and FE & skills providers.
• From January 2026: Rollout continues for initial teacher education (ITE) and non-association independent schools.

Why does this matter?

Richer Accountability Model

With granular grades and narrative context, providers can better showcase strengths and plan targeted improvements.

Strategic Preparation Needed

Now is the time for providers to consider aligning governance, safeguarding, and leadership frameworks with the new inspection criteria.

Effective Communication Strategy

These report cards are said to be designed for transparency. Leveraging the narrative alongside grades will be key to shaping how a school or education provision is perceived by key stakeholders.

Get In Touch

We will continue to provide updates and analysis in relation to the roll-out and practical implications of the Ofsted changes over the coming weeks and months. We are an experienced and leading team of Ofsted solicitors and have significant experience in advising providers across the country.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Alice Thursfield on 01202 786353 or Alice.Thursfield@LA-Law.com so that we can discuss your situation and your specific circumstances.