November 2025 framework · report cards

🏛️ Ofsted Inspection Readiness Checker

Inspection changed more between 2024 and 2026 than in the previous decade: single-word overall grades are gone, report cards are in, and there is a new five-point scale across nine evaluation areas. Work through 44 statements — plus early years and post-16 if you have them — see where you are thin, and take away a prioritised action list.

Your answers stay in this browser. Nothing is submitted unless you choose to download the action list.

Which areas apply to your school?

Early years and post-16 are graded only where the school has that provision.

Overall readiness

0%

0 of 44 statements answered

A self-assessment of your own school against the published framework. It is not an inspection outcome and does not predict a grade.

Judged met or not met, outside the five-point scale. A not-met finding triggers follow-up however strong the rest of the report card is, so this is a precondition rather than a strength to build.

  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead is trained, current, and known by name to every member of staff

  • Single central record is complete, with no gaps in checks or dates

  • All staff have completed current KCSIE training and can say what they would do on a disclosure

  • Safeguarding concerns are logged, escalated and closed with a clear audit trail

  • Filtering and monitoring of online activity is in place and reviewed

  • Pupil data is handled lawfully, with access limited to those who need it

  • Governors receive and challenge safeguarding reporting

Read more

Talk to our schools team

The five-point scale

Every evaluation area except safeguarding is graded on this scale. Single-word overall effectiveness grades were removed by this framework.

Exceptional
Practice that is among the very best nationally.
Strong standard
Excellent, consistent work making a real difference for children.
Expected standard
The school is doing what it should be doing. A positive judgement, not a euphemism.
Needs attention
Weaknesses that the school needs to address.
Urgent improvement
Serious weaknesses requiring immediate action.

Framework details verified against GOV.UK. Always check the current framework and handbook before acting on anything here: Education inspection framework (from November 2025), Understanding Ofsted report cards and grades, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

Talk to our schools team

Tell us where your school is and what you need. If you have worked through the checker above, your readiness summary comes with the enquiry so we can be useful from the first reply.

Frequently asked questions

Does Ofsted still give a single grade like Good or Outstanding?

No. The framework in use since 10 November 2025 removed single-word overall effectiveness grades. Schools receive a report card with a separate grade for each evaluation area. Historic single-word grades stay on record until a school is next inspected.

What is the Ofsted grading scale now?

Each evaluation area except safeguarding is graded on a five-point scale: exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement. Safeguarding is judged separately as met or not met.

Which evaluation areas does Ofsted grade?

Safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance, plus early years and post-16 provision where the school has them.

Does this tool predict our Ofsted grade?

No. It is a structured self-assessment of your own school against the published framework, and the indicative labels it shows reflect only how you answered. It is not an inspection outcome and no tool can predict one.

Are subject deep dives still part of inspection?

No. The intensive subject deep dives were removed under the November 2025 framework. Inspectors focus more on the school's own context and improvement priorities.

More on inspection

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