Ofsted

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

Wednesday

11th Jun 2025

Ofsted delay: Sir Martyn’s and Bridget Phillipson’s letters
Read the full exchange between the Ofsted chief and the education secretary on the ‘regrettable’ and ‘disappointing’ delay in the watchdog providing its consultation response
Westminster
Dame Christine Gilbert to be appointed chair of Ofsted’s board
Former chief inspector, who led a major review into Ofsted, has been selected as chair of the schools watchdog
Dame Christine Gilbert Ofsted

Friday

6th Jun 2025

Ofsted considers national team to lead on SEND inspections
Ofsted and the CQC will also consider moving to a report-card system for SEND area checks when the current cycle of inspections ends
Ofsted inspection

Friday

23rd May 2025

Ofsted report card inspections ‘too short for reliable judgement’
School leaders involved in trials of Ofsted’s planned new inspection system warn about the volume of work to be done in one and a half days
Ofsted inspection
Exclusive

Tuesday

13th May 2025

SEND: Ofsted urged to check if schools meet legal duties
The watchdog’s focus on inclusion in schools under its proposed new inspection framework should be strengthened, MPs are told
Ofsted checks

Monday

12th May 2025

Ofsted consultation response ‘later than hoped’ but no plan to delay inspections
Staff have been told the inspectorate’s response to its consultation will likely be later than it had planned but that it is not looking to delay its new inspections
People waiting at a bus stop
Exclusive

Friday

9th May 2025

Heads legally powerless to avoid Ofsted report card inspections
The NAHT has taken legal action against Ofsted’s recent consultation. But, regardless of the outcome, schools will have to participate in inspections, say legal experts
Heads legally powerless to avoid Ofsted report card inspections

Saturday

3rd May 2025

NAHT to take Ofsted to court over school report cards
School leaders’ union issues a claim for a judicial review against Ofsted in response to its proposed changes to the inspection system
NAHT to take Ofsted to court over school report cards

Monday

28th Apr 2025

Delay new Ofsted inspections or risk further deaths, Phillipson told
Coalition of education unions, headteachers and former senior inspectors warns the education secretary about the watchdog’s school report card proposals
Bridget Phillipson Ofsted

Thursday

24th Apr 2025

Ofsted plans ‘risk the health and wellbeing’ of school leaders
NAHT accuses the inspectorate of not assessing how its proposed changes to inspection could impact school staff workload
Ofsted plans risk the health and wellbeing of school leaders, a union has warned.

Wednesday

23rd Apr 2025

Ofsted’s inspection changes should be thrown out
Two former senior inspectors set out why, even with Ofsted admitting that its proposals need tweaking, the watchdog’s plans will not be fit for purpose
Rubbish being chucked out

Tuesday

22nd Apr 2025

Ofsted report cards ‘unfit for purpose’, finds ‘alternative’ consultation
Ofsted’s proposed changes to school inspection have been rejected by most of those who took part in a poll launched by two former inspectors
Ofsted's proposed changes to school inspection have been criticised in an 'alternative consultation'