Ofsted Is Changing — But Your Strengths Still Matter Most

With Ofsted undergoing significant reforms in 2024 and more planned for 2025, it’s easy to feel unsettled. One-word judgements are gone, report cards are coming, and the framework continues to evolve.

But at Evaluate‑Ed, we believe these changes are a powerful opportunity — not just to prepare for inspection, but to reframe how schools lead improvement.

“Start with what’s strong. Transform what’s wrong.”

This mindset has always guided our work. And now, it’s reflected in Ofsted’s new direction.

What’s Changing in Ofsted Inspections?

As of September 2024, several reforms are already in place — and schools need to be aware of what’s now expected. Evaluate‑Ed is fully aligned with these changes, so you don’t need to worry about keeping up.

One-Word Judgements Replaced

Schools now receive separate scores (1–5) in each of the main inspection areas:

• Quality of Education
• Behaviour and Attitudes
• Personal Development
• Leadership and Management
• (Plus Early Years/Sixth Form if applicable)

This shift gives a more detailed, nuanced picture — and encourages a strength-based conversation about improvement.

New Report Cards (Coming November 2025)

While full rollout will begin in late 2025, the structure has already been shared:

• Clear narrative reports showing what schools do well and where to improve
• A focus on SEND, inclusion, and contextual understanding
• Removal of terms like “inadequate”
• A standalone safeguarding criterion

Evaluate‑Ed’s outputs are already adapting to mirror these report card formats — so your internal documentation will align smoothly with Ofsted’s evolving expectations.

Deep Dives and Areas of Focus

Deep dives remain key in graded inspections and are evolving to cover:

• Reading and foundation subjects (in primaries)
• 4–6 subject areas (in secondaries)
• Intent, implementation, impact, and student voice

Ungraded inspections now use “areas of focus” instead — covering subject quality, personal development, behaviour, and more. These are discussed with the school before the visit.

Evaluate‑Ed supports all of this, helping you build robust self-evaluation for specific curriculum areas and inspection themes.

Earlier Inspection Notice

Schools are now notified at 9:30am on Monday, with inspections starting Tuesday — offering slightly more time to plan and communicate internally.

Safeguarding Is Now Separate

Safeguarding is no longer grouped within Leadership & Management. It has its own judgement and must be evidenced across all staff roles.

You’re More Prepared Than You Think

If you’re already using Evaluate‑Ed, you’re already aligned with the latest frameworks. You already:

• Have the correct structure and terminology in your self-evaluations
• Track improvement over time
• Support SLT and middle leaders to lead their own areas
• Create evidence-rich reports for governors and inspectors

All without extra paperwork or last-minute stress.

We take the pain out of preparation — because the best inspection prep is ongoing, not last-minute.

Start With What’s Strong — The Mindset That Matters Most

Too often, inspection prep focuses on what’s missing. But the most effective improvement journeys begin by identifying what’s already working.

That’s why our platform — and our philosophy — are built around the principle of “Start with what’s strong.” It boosts staff confidence, drives meaningful reflection, and encourages internal collaboration.

With Ofsted now leaning into richer conversations, narrative reporting, and contextual understanding, your strengths matter more than ever.

Evaluate‑Ed helps you showcase them.

How Evaluate‑Ed Keeps You Inspection-Ready

Evaluate‑Ed is a live, self-evaluation and school improvement platform designed to:

• Reflect Ofsted and DfE frameworks — always up to date
• Guide leaders through SEND, Safeguarding, Leadership & more
• Track strengths and priorities in one place
• Produce reports in seconds
• Reduce anxiety by making inspection part of everyday work

Whether you’re a MAT, a primary school, or a specialist setting, Evaluate‑Ed makes the complex simple — and builds confidence across your team.

Not Using Evaluate‑Ed Yet?

If you’re not yet using the platform, now is the perfect time to start with a free Specialist Review — in areas like:

• Safeguarding
• SEND
• Leadership
• Behaviour

Choose the review that matters most to you, and explore how easy it is to gain clarity, structure, and evidence in under 30 minutes.

Try it Free – Click Here

Final Thoughts: Let Change Work in Your Favour

Ofsted’s reforms are real, and they are here — but they don’t have to create more stress.

If anything, they give schools permission to showcase their strengths, embrace context, and move away from high-stakes judgements.

With Evaluate‑Ed, inspection becomes part of your improvement journey — not an interruption to it.

✔ You’re already more prepared than you think.
✔ You already have the strengths — we help you bring them to life.

Let’s start there.