Ofsted

The latest news and analysis on the schools inspectorate in England, including inspection and curriculum policy and reports

Today

13th Mar 2026

Ofsted chief will ‘not downplay’ disadvantaged schools’ outcomes
Analysis of the watchdog’s report card system has shown that disadvantaged schools may be ‘unfairly penalised’
Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted chief inspector

Yesterday

12th Mar 2026

Red tape blocks school funding for children in care, finds Ofsted
Teachers tell the watchdog that working with different local authorities with different processes can be frustrating when trying to support vulnerable pupils
Funding blocked

Wednesday

11th Mar 2026

Ofsted rejects 9 in 10 complaints about schools
The vast majority of complaints that qualified for Ofsted investigation last year did not lead to an immediate inspection, watchdog says
Ofsted rejected nine in 10 complaints against schools in 2024-25

Friday

6th Mar 2026

Ofsted rejects 1 in 5 inspection deferral requests
Watchdog figures show 621 school inspections were deferred in 2024-25 and a further 37 were paused
Ofsted has approval all pause requests but rejected one in five deferral requests from schools.

Monday

16th Feb 2026

What schools need to understand about foundational knowledge
The renewed Ofsted framework refers to foundational knowledge. What is it, and how can schools demonstrate that they are providing it?
Tree support

Friday

13th Feb 2026

Schools told to put report QR codes on their Ofsted banners
Ofsted says schools including the new QR codes in their promotional materials will provide ‘transparency’ and help to put inspection ratings into context
Ofsted has introduced QR codes linking to inspection report cards for individual schools

Wednesday

11th Feb 2026

Uneven Ofsted inspection outcomes show change is needed
An overview of the first inspections suggests a disparity is emerging between secondary and primary schools that needs addressing, says ASCL’s Andy Jordan
Uneven Ofsted inspection outcomes show change is needed
Ofsted: We ‘could do more’ on early years safeguarding
MPs question senior Ofsted official on whether the safeguarding system in the early years is fit for purpose
Small child in a bubble

Tuesday

10th Feb 2026

Ofsted: Heads question fairness of combining attendance and behaviour
Tes analysis shows most schools graded as ‘needs attention’ were only criticised over attendance and not behaviour
Pupils going to school
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Friday

6th Feb 2026

Independent group to monitor Ofsted’s impact on heads’ wellbeing
The NAHT launches advisory group, which will include the watchdog and DfE, amid concerns over new inspection framework
Paul Whiteman

Wednesday

4th Feb 2026

School phone ban backed by Lords in government defeat
The House of Lords votes in favour of a statutory ban on phones in schools, despite the government strengthening its guidance on this issue last month
A female secondary school student using a mobile phone

Monday

2nd Feb 2026

Fears over head and Sendco workload in new Ofsted inspections
Some senior leaders who have experienced the new report-card inspections have described them as ‘brutal’, ASCL tells schools’ conference
Fears have been raised about new Ofsted inspections affecting school leaders' workload and wellbeing
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