Ofsted

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

Tuesday

25th Nov 2025

Ofsted’s new inspections cause ‘greater stress’, warn heads
But schools taking part in the first inspections under the new report-card system also report that the process feels more collaborative
ASCL has raised concerns after feedback from the first set of volunteer inspections.

Wednesday

19th Nov 2025

Ofsted school inspection window ‘could be tightened’
Teacher and leader wellbeing is ‘built into every aspect’ of the new approach to inspection, says chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver
School inspection window 'could be tightened'

Monday

17th Nov 2025

Will Ofsted’s new system last? I wouldn’t bet on it
With Ofsted’s new inspection framework now up and running, it will be months before we really know how well it’s working – but past experience of reform raises some alarm bells, writes this former HMI
Hand reaching for old book

Friday

7th Nov 2025

‘Major concerns’ over Ofsted data changes
Schools that volunteered to be first for new inspections should be allowed to withdraw because of changes announced by Ofsted just days before the new system begins, say heads’ leaders
Ofsted has been criticised for announcing late changes to how its inspectors will use data
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Wednesday

5th Nov 2025

Ofsted: 7 findings from pilot inspections
The schools watchdog has published findings from its pilot of new report card inspections, along with the changes it plans to make. Here is everything you need to know
Ofsted has revealed findings from its pilot inspections

Monday

3rd Nov 2025

Union’s legal challenge of new Ofsted inspections rejected
The NAHT’s bid for a judicial review over the new Ofsted framework was heard just a week before inspections are due to start
An NAHT bid to challenge Ofsted's new inspections in the High Court has been rejected.

Friday

24th Oct 2025

NEU and ASCL join legal action against Ofsted
The two unions will provide witness statements to support the NAHT’s bid for a judicial review over Ofsted’s new inspections
The NEU and ASCL unions will provide formal support for the NAHT legal challenge against new Ofsted inspections

Tuesday

21st Oct 2025

Schools grading themselves is ‘almost impossible’, heads warn Ofsted
Ofsted’s expectation that schools provide a graded self-evaluation using its new five-point scale has sparked warnings from heads’ leaders
Headteachers' leaders have questioned Ofsted's plans for schools providing a graded self-evaluation.
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Saturday

18th Oct 2025

Ofsted: No more ‘end-of-day surprises’ in inspections
Watchdog’s national education director also tells the Schools North East summit that Ofsted is in talks with the DfE about concerns over the inspection of inclusion
Ofsted's national director of education Lee Owston.
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Friday

17th Oct 2025

Oliver: Heads don’t automatically lose job after poor Ofsted grades
The chief inspector, speaking at the Confederation of School Trusts conference, rejects the idea that Ofsted has not considered headteachers’ wellbeing in developing its new inspections
Sir Martyn Oliver has said its not true that heads automatically lose jobs after poor Ofsted grades

Wednesday

15th Oct 2025

New Ofsted inspections: your questions answered
After Tes readers got in touch with some key questions about Ofsted’s new approach to inspections, Cerys Turner provides the answers
New Ofsted inspections: your questions answered
Ofsted ‘confused’ about school admissions role
MAT leader Jonny Uttley warns Ofsted is ‘refusing’ to scrutinise schools that ‘push’ students out
Cathie Paine, Manny Botwe, Charlotte Santry and Jonny Uttley
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