Committee publication · Correspondence · 13 January 2026
Letter from His Majesty’s Chief Inspector on Findings from pilots of reforms to education inspections, dated 19.12.25
From: Education Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
Summary
Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty's Chief Inspector, updates the Education Committee on pilots of reformed education inspection frameworks. Ofsted conducted 286 pilot inspections (143 early years, 115 schools, 28 further education providers) in September–October 2025 before full implementation on 10 November. Providers responded positively to the new collaborative approach, toolkit clarity, and inclusion grade. Key challenges include provider confusion over new grading standards, misconceptions about equivalence with old grades, and workload concerns in smaller settings.
Key findings
- 286 pilot inspections conducted across early years, schools, and further education providers showed positive reception to collaborative inspection methodology, toolkit clarity, and move away from deep dives.
- Ofsted shifted from 'best fit' to 'secure fit' grading model; all expected standards must be met before higher grades awarded; this change is widely misunderstood by providers assuming equivalence with old grades.
- New standalone inclusion grade met with strong positivity from leaders and practitioners; FE sector specifically noted it signals SEND support is essential, not optional.
- Some providers reported increased workload and pressure, particularly smaller settings; Ofsted introduced mitigations including extra on-site inspectors for schools and adjusted scheduling for maintained nursery schools (spring/summer terms only).
- Ofsted added word 'typically' to achievement standard to account for data limitations in small cohorts and special schools; will conduct exit interviews and roundtable meetings with sector representatives to monitor unintended consequences.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Sir Martyn Oliver, Helen Hayes MP, Ofsted, Education Select Committee, FE Week
Notable line
“… the new grading system is different and it would be wrong to read across from the old judgements to the new grades.”
Key Quotes
“Many providers described the toolkit and methodology as a positive step forward, appreciating the clarity they bring to the inspection process and the opportunity to see how inspectors are applying the renewed approach.”
“We are giving a clear message to education professionals and parents alike that the new grading system is different and it would be wrong to read across from the old judgements to the new grades.”
“'Ofsted's inspection framework introduces inclusion as a standalone point of evaluation sends a clear message: meeting the needs of learners with SEND is essential, not optional …”
“The ' expected standard' covers the statutory, professional and non-statutory guidance that providers are already expected to follow. Therefore, this represents the 'expected' bar, a high bar, for providers and should reassure parents that their 1 'If everyone is a SEND teacher FE needs to train them, and fast', FE Week, December 2025 …”
“Having an extra inspector on site for schools inspections gave the lead inspector more time to engage with leaders, hear about all the aspects of the school that leaders wanted to celebrate with us, and helped everything run more smoothly.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗