2019 Ofsted inspection framework: summary of changes

A revised Ofsted inspection framework came into force in September 2019. Read on to find out the key changes so you're up to date.

Last reviewed on 12 May 2022
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Ref: 34352
Contents
  1. The impact of COVID-19
  2. New ‘quality of education’ judgement
  3. Separate judgements for ‘personal development’ and ‘behaviour and attitudes’
  4. Section 8 inspections of 'good' and 'outstanding' schools over 2 days
  5. Longer initial phone call with the lead inspector
  6. Internal performance data no longer used as inspection evidence
  7. The 'outstanding' exemption is no longer in place

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The impact of COVID-19

Ofsted's latest handbook update takes into account how schools have been affected by the pandemic. It recognises that most schools will have been unable to implement the curriculum in the usual way.

As such, inspectors will look at how your school has adapted and prioritised the curriculum from September 2020, including:

  • How your school leaders' decisions about remote education have led to changes/adaptations in your school's curriculum
  • How subject leaders and teachers have identified pupils’ learning gaps and new starting points, and how they have responded to that in their curriculum planning
  • How your school leaders have deployed tutors to support the aims of your school's curriculum

See paragraphs 13 to 15 of the School Inspection Handbook.

This judgement has the

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