Ofsted Handbook updated on 16 Sep 2024

In September 2024, Ofsted updated its handbook with several key changes aimed at making inspections more transparent and effective for schools. One significant update involves inspection notifications. Schools will now be informed of inspections on a Monday, with the actual inspection happening on Tuesday and Wednesday, reducing uncertainty and allowing schools more time to prepare.

Another important change is in the way schools receive inspection grades. While schools will still receive grades in key areas such as leadership, behaviour, and education quality, the overall effectiveness grade has been removed. This adjustment aims to provide a more nuanced view of a school’s performance, allowing for a more detailed understanding of its strengths and areas for improvement.

Additionally, the inspection process has placed a greater emphasis on school leaders' involvement, particularly in curriculum-focused "deep dives." This allows leaders to have a more hands-on role during inspections, which is designed to ease the burden on subject leads while ensuring thorough evaluations.

These updates reflect Ofsted’s ongoing effort to make the inspection process more transparent and supportive for schools, helping them better navigate compliance and accountability​(NGA)​(Tes).