Ofsted has launched a public consultation outlining proposals for comprehensive reform to how it conducts inspections of education providers, which may be viewed here.  

The reforms are intended to deliver more detailed and balanced assessments, replacing single-word judgments with detailed report cards, and improve the consistency of inspections. With these reforms, Ofsted aims to provide a more nuanced evaluation of education institutions with a particular focus on inclusion, behaviour and attendance.  

The consultation is running for 12 weeks from 3 February 2025 to 28 April 2025, to implement the proposals from November 2025 (with the exception of initial teacher education, where Ofsted intends to begin implementation from January 2026).  

This Insight summarises the proposals, the implications for specialist schools, and the next steps. 

The consultation 

A key element of the proposed reform is the introduction of detailed report cards, moving away from the traditional single-word overall effectiveness grades. These will assess schools across multiple areas, including attendance, behaviour, curriculum and inclusion. The evaluation areas will differ between the different types of education providers.  

Each area will be rated on a five-point scale:  

• Exemplary; 
• Strong;  
• Secure; 
• Attention Needed; and  
• Causing Concern.  

These changes are designed to provide a more comprehensive view of a school’s performance, highlighting both the strengths and areas for development. Ofsted has acknowledged the need for variation of the report cards between the different types of educational environments, to capture the nuances between them. The proposal aims to provide more targeted and constructive feedback, enabling Ofsted to identify poor practice with more precision without negatively impacting on providers as a whole.  

In addition, Ofsted plans to enhance the education inspection toolkits to offer more explicit evaluation criteria, emphasising curriculum quality, behaviour, attendance and inclusion. The goal is to ensure consistency and transparency in inspections, while providing both inspectors and providers with a clear framework for evaluation. This reform emphasises a collaborative approach, encouraging an open dialogue between inspectors and education leaders.  

A further notable proposal is the intention to discontinue ungraded inspections. Some schools receive shorter inspections if previously rated as “Good” or “Outstanding”. Under the new framework, all inspections would be fully graded, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment at each visit. This change is intended to simplify the inspection process and give education providers greater clarity about the scope and expectations of an inspection.  

Implications for SEND schools 

For specialist schools such as those who educate pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), these reforms could lead to a more tailored evaluation process. The detailed report cards may allow for greater recognition of the unique challenges and successes within these institutions.  

However, the emphasis on attendance and behaviour could have adverse implications for specialist schools who often support students with a diverse range of complex needs. It is important that inspection metrics are sensitive to the different ways these needs may shape patterns of attendance and behaviour. It is crucial for the inspection framework to account for these factors, to ensure that specialist schools are not unfairly penalised for challenges inherent to their nature.  

Next steps 

As the consultation progresses, input from specialist schools and SEND experts will be essential in shaping the new framework to ensure it accommodates the diversity of educational settings and delivers fair outcomes across the sector.  

These reforms aim to provide more meaningful and detailed insights into school performance while reducing pressure on educational professionals. Ofsted has stated that, in implementing these reforms, it intends to take into account the context of each provider, aiming to understand the challenges they face without excusing any shortcomings. To that end, Ofsted intends to run focus groups and conduct further user research and testing before publishing a report on the outcome of this consultation in the summer of 2025.   

How Capsticks can help   

Capsticks has significant experience in helping our clients to navigate changes in regulatory frameworks and in implementing change. We also have a strong track record in challenging inspectorates following unfair or inaccurate inspection reports. Our real estate investment team also acts regularly on acquisitions of schools and landlord and tenant matters for our clients operating within the specialist education sector and is able to advise on the implications of changes when it comes to commercial lease documentation.   

For further information on how we might assist you, please get in touch with Ian Cooper or Alessandra Pinot de Moira.