Need-to-know: Ofsted's School Inspection Handbook updated for 2024

Get your head around the key changes, which come into force from 16 September 2024.

Last reviewed on 16 September 2024
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Read about the changes to Ofsted's School Inspection Handbook for 2024. We’re working on a more detailed summary in our article on Ofsted changes select 'save for later' at the top of that article to be notified when it’s ready.

Graded inspections no longer include an overall effectiveness grade

Inspectors will continue to give grades (outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate) for the 4 key areas of inspection:

  • Evaluating the quality of education
  • Evaluating behaviour and attitudes
  • Evaluating personal development
  • Evaluating leadership and management

They will also make provision judgements for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and sixth form, where relevant. 

This is set out in paragraphs 462 to 463 of the inspection handbook

If any of the 4 key areas are judged 'inadequate', and/or safeguarding is judged to be ineffective, the school will be placed in a formal category of concern.

If

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