Ofsted Ratings and Reports
What is Ofsted?
Ofsted stands for the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted is the UK government department responsible for inspecting schools and other social care services for children.
First introduced in 1992, Ofsetd was the Office for Standards in Education. In 2007 its brief expanded to include children’s services work relating to social care and the courts.
It is part of the Department for Education (DfE) and, since January 2024, is headed by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver.
Ofsted is only responsible for inspecting schools in England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own inspecting bodies.
Ofsted’s main responsibilities
- Ofsted inspections for:
- Maintained schools and academies, some independent schools, and many other educational institutions and programmes outside of higher education.
- Childcare, adoption and fostering agencies and initial teacher training.
- Ofsted regulates:
- A range of early years and children’s social care services, making sure they’re suitable for children and potentially vulnerable young people.
- Ofsted reports:
- Publishing reports of their findings so they can be used to improve the overall quality of education and training.
- Informing policymakers about the effectiveness of these services.
Ofsted is a member of the National Preventive Mechanism which monitors and reports on places of detention.
What are Ofsted ratings?
Ofsted ratings, or Ofsted grades, are a single-word judgement given to each education provider receiving a graded school inspection. These ratings help hold schools accountable for the education and care they provide to children.
Up until September 2024, schools received a single headline grade. Schools could receive an Ofsted rating of:
- Outstanding
- Good
- Requires Improvement
- Inadequate
Why are Ofsted ratings changing?
Previously, Ofsted grades were based on inspectors’ judgements across four Ofsted sub-categories, as set out in their Education Inspection Framework 2019. These sub-categories include:
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development of pupils
- Leadership and management
Each school then received an overall single headline grade. This may be beneficial to outstanding schools but less so to schools rated as inadequate.
Ofsted now recognises that single-word judgements aren’t working for parents or schools. In one survey, Ofsted found less than four in 10 parents and a mere 29% of teachers support single-word judgements.
It takes more than one word to give a complete picture of how a school is performing.
Ofsted reported wanting to raise standards in schools. They plan to do so by introducing report cards which will go into depth across a broader range of measures such as how staff members answer Ofsted’s safeguarding questions.
Parents' Guide to Understanding Ofsted Ratings
As a parent, understanding Ofsted ratings can feel overwhelming. At The Cornerstone Academy Trust, we aim to empower families with clarity and insight. This guide seeks to clarify Ofsted ratings and help you understand how these reviews impact your child’s education.
What Should Parents Look For?
Ofsted ratings offer valuable insights, but they shouldn’t be the only factor in your education choices. Consider the school’s ethos, specific programs available, and the overall environment where your child learns and grows.
- 1. Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to reach out to school staff to learn about improvement measures after inspections.
- 2. Join Forums: Connect with fellow parents to exchange experiences about school performance and initiatives.
- 3. Stay Informed: Regularly check the Ofsted website and school updates for the latest news on performance.
