Ungraded inspections for 'good' and 'outstanding' schools

Section 8 inspections are now called ungraded inspections. Find out what happens during an ungraded inspection under the 2019 Ofsted framework, and what your role is as a governor.

Last reviewed on 25 July 2022

School types: All · School phases: All

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To inspect all schools between May 2021 and July 2025, Ofsted will:

Inspect 'outstanding' schools - find out more in the section below
From 2022/23, gradually get to a stage where they'll inspect schools only 3 to 4 terms later than usual (at the moment, schools are being inspected around 5 terms late due to the backlog caused by the coronavirus pandemic)
For subsequent inspections, return to inspecting schools around every 4 years

This is explained in paragraphs 40 and 60 of the school inspection handbook for September 2022.

Following the removal of the 'outstanding' exemption, all formerly exempt schools will now be inspected by July 2025.

If you last received a graded inspection before September 2015, you'll have a graded