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by Shannon Pite

Plans to reform the education inspection system are being adapted in response to feedback received on the proposed changes, Ofsted has announced in a blog post.   

The announcement comes on the day the consultation about Ofsted’s proposed changes for inspections – which opened in February 2025 – closes (28 April 2025). 

The consultation proposed replacing of current one-word inspection judgements at education settings, including early years provision, with a five-point scale: causing concern, attention needed, secure, strong and exemplary. 

For early years inspections, settings would then be graded in one of the five categories in the following evaluation areas: leadership and governance; curriculum; developing teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children’s welfare and wellbeing; inclusion; and safeguarding. 

However, in a entitled We know we need to improve our inspection plans,  Rory Gribbell, director of strategy and engagement at Ofsted, revealed that the inspectorate is in the process of adapting its reform plans in response to feedback during the consultation. 

This includes:  

• looking at how the proposals can be simplified as the “proposed approach to grading is too complicated”, including considering carefully feedback on the new top grade of ‘exemplary’. 

• improving the clarity of the grades system and what inspectors are looking for, particularly with regard to the judgements of ‘strong’ and ‘secure’. 

• simplifying the scope and number of evaluation areas in inspections to reduce overlap. 

• ensuring that the new ‘inclusion’ evaluation area does not result in support for these children being “treated as a bolt on”. 

Commenting, Gribbell said: “We know we can improve what we proposed, and we are grateful for the feedback. I want to stress the seriousness with which we take our responsibility to the professionals we work with. 

“We know we need to hear the feedback and challenge being offered. And we need to respond with that same level of professionalism and seriousness. 

“I’d like to finish where I began. It has been a professional privilege to hear the feedback over recent weeks. I know my brilliant colleagues are taking on the challenges and suggestions to iterate and improve our proposed approach. 

“That process will continue in the weeks to come as we take account of the thousands of pieces of feedback we’ve received.”