Ofsted’s new framework explained: what schools need to know
From 10 November 2025, all inspections for state-funded schools will take place under Ofsted’s new framework, which has a stronger focus on inclusion, wellbeing, context and leadership. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters, and how your school can get ready.
Read our full summary of the 2025 framework changes.
Why Ofsted has changed the framework
Last year, Ofsted carried out its biggest consultation yet, the Big Listen, to hear from parents, carers, pupils and professionals working across education and children’s social care. Thousands took part, sharing feedback about how inspections and reports could work better, with many raising concerns around workload and wellbeing. Following this, Ofsted reviewed how it evaluates schools and presented its findings.
When explaining the changes, HM Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said: “Children deserve the best possible education; their parents deserve the best possible information and education professionals deserve to have their work fairly assessed by experts. The changes we are presenting today aim to achieve all 3 of these things.”
Key differences from the previous framework
New report cards:
Schools will now receive grades across these evaluation areas:
- Safeguarding (graded as ‘met’ or ‘not met’)
- Inclusion
- Curriculum and teaching
- Achievement
- Attendance and behaviour
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Leadership and governance
- Early years (where applicable)
- Post-16 provision (where applicable)
5-point scale:
Each evaluation area (with the exception of safeguarding) will be graded on this 5-point scale:
- Exceptional
- Strong standard
- Expected standard
- Needs attention
- Urgent improvement
During your planning call, the lead inspector will ask for your evaluation of the school’s strengths and successes, and your priorities for improvement, including where you believe you currently sit on this 5-point grading scale for each evaluation area.
No more deep dives:
Previously, inspectors carried out ‘deep dives’ in a handful of subjects to understand curriculum quality in detail. Under the new framework, deep dives have been removed. Inspectors will take a broader view instead, looking at each school’s context and improvement priorities.
New inspection toolkit:
Ofsted’s new inspection toolkit replaces the old School Inspection Handbook and acts as the core reference for inspections. It sets out what inspectors will look for in each evaluation area and what schools need to demonstrate to meet a particular grade.
A key part of this new framework is knowing your own starting point, as inspectors will expect schools to have a clear view of their strengths and areas for development within each of the new evaluation areas. Our self-evaluation form (SEF): guidance and template helps you do exactly that – map your strengths and identify priorities for improvement.
Greater focus on inclusion and wellbeing:
Inclusion is now a new evaluation area, as well as a key theme that runs across other evaluation areas. Inspectors will look at how well your school identifies and supports all pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, have SEND, are known to children’s social care, or face other barriers to learning or wellbeing, such as protected characteristics or caring responsibilities. See our article on how Ofsted inspects inclusion for more details.
Inspections will also include wellbeing measures, such as inspectors leaving school by 5pm each day and an additional inspector to support school leaders during inspection.
What schools can do to be Ofsted-ready
You won’t be inspected until at least 10 November 2025. Ofsted will prioritise schools that have volunteered for inspection between then and Christmas. If your school hasn’t volunteered for inspection, you have a little longer and won’t be inspected before 1 December 2025. The only exceptions are urgent or monitoring inspections.
In the meantime:
- Brief staff on the new inspection framework and evaluation areas, and what Ofsted will want to see. Help your team feel confident and know what to expect when the call comes, on the day and afterwards
- Review your current provision against the new evaluation areas, with a particular focus on inclusion. Start identifying your school’s strengths and where you could look to improve – this will make things easier during the planning call, when Ofsted asks how you've graded your school against each area
- Record your priorities in your school improvement plan and track how you’re making progress. Our SIP template makes it simple to set clear objectives and actions, and our tracker template will help you review your progress
How to communicate about Ofsted with staff and parents/carers
Be clear with staff, governors and parents/carers about what’s changing and why. You may want to focus on how the new framework includes a stronger focus on inclusion and school context.
Once you’ve had the notification call from Ofsted, you’ll want to share reminders so everyone feels prepared and supported. You can use KeyGPT to quickly draft clear, tailored messages for different audiences, or head to our Ofsted pre-inspection checklist and reminders for ready-made, role-specific messages to copy and adapt.
Want more support?
Like what you’ve seen here? Visit our Ofsted resource hub to find more resources to help you feel confident about inspection under the new framework. From a step-by-step guide to an Ofsted inspection, to articles on the evaluation areas that help you see what Ofsted will be looking for, you’ll find plenty to help your team feel supported for inspection.
Start a free trial to explore the full range of tools and guidance, or join The Key to give your whole team ongoing access.