Ofsted outlines reforms following Big Listen feedback

Ofsted has published a detailed response to its ‘Big Listen’ consultation, setting out how the inspectorate will reform, which His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, described as “the beginning of a new chapter” for the organisation.

The Big Listen is the largest consultation in Ofsted’s history. It showed broad support for Ofsted’s role – particularly from parents; but it also highlighted significant disquiet about the inspectorate from those working within education and social care. Responding to the criticism, Ofsted has announced a raft of changes and improvements to the way it works.

The main changes include a new inspection framework for schools, early years and further education, which will have greater focus on pupil outcomes to drive higher standards, alongside a range of measures to reduce anxiety for those being inspected. Consultation will begin in early 2025.

Increasing Ofsted’s focus and scrutiny on how providers are meeting the needs of vulnerable or disadvantaged children and young people, by consulting on a specific focus on inclusion in report cards. The new measure comes at a time of widening outcome gaps between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils since the pandemic.

Pausing the publication of inspection reports when safeguarding concerns are identified in an otherwise high-performing school, until inspectors re-visit the school within 3 months. This will give schools time to remedy issues without intervention from the Department for Education. Parents will still be informed about the safeguarding issues in the meantime. This change will come into effect from this month.

Introducing a ‘report card’ in all areas Ofsted inspects, to provide a more nuanced and detailed assessment of providers’ work. This follows the announcement by the Secretary of State for Education that the single-word overall effectiveness judgement will be removed from school inspections starting this month. Report cards will be introduced from September 2025.

Working with government to introduce new annual safeguarding, attendance and off-rolling reviews for schools, to consider how they are meeting their requirements to keep children safe. Ofsted will also consult on a new, stand-alone assessment of safeguarding in its reports.

Ofsted will announce all routine inspections on a Monday, with inspections taking place over the following 2 days. This means leaders will know by Monday afternoon if they are being inspected that week, helping to reduce the stress of waiting. This new approach will be piloted over the autumn term.

Ofsted received more than 20,000 responses to its open online consultation, including over 4,000 from children to the dedicated children’s Big Listen.

Ofsted Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said: "I promised the Big Listen would be followed by real change. This is the beginning of a new chapter for Ofsted as we reset our priorities, refine our practices and rebuild our relationships. We want to retain the confidence of the children, parents and carers we work for, and regain the respect of the committed professionals we work with. 

"The tragic death of Ruth Perry was a catalyst for this change, but the case for change has been building for years. We recognise the growing challenges facing education and social care, particularly since the pandemic. We don’t want to add to this pressure. Many of the changes we are introducing are aimed at reducing the pressure on those we inspect.

"We will always strive for higher standards for children, particularly the most vulnerable children. We share that aim with thousands of brilliant people working in education and social care. We are determined to win back their trust and work together in the interests of children and learners."