Ofsted has published updates to its state-funded school inspection handbooks as well as its deferral, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy, ahead of routine school inspections returning on 23 September.
From this term, state-funded schools will not receive an overall effectiveness grade during graded inspections, following the decision by the Department for Education (DfE).
The handbooks have also been updated to reflect the previously announced changes to ungraded inspections, designed to reduce the burden on school leaders and allow more time and flexibility for inspectors to get to know the school, including its context and priorities.
Further changes include an update to how Ofsted notifies schools of inspections. Notifications for graded and ungraded inspections will now be carried out only on the Monday mornings of the week Ofsted will inspect the school.
Other updates include a change to allow schools which have issues with safeguarding.
Nearly three-quarters of teachers (72%) say the current SEND system fails children, yet more than half (56%) expect anticipated reforms to negatively impact SEND pupils with complex needs.
Over a quarter of all schools and colleges across England are taking part in the free National Education Nature Park programme, which sees young people create nature-rich spaces on school sites.
The government has announced a new package of bursaries and scholarships worth up to £31,000 to train to teach in subjects including chemistry, maths, physics, and computing.
Schools in England could face an annual shortfall of £310 million in covering the cost of free school meals unless urgent action is taken, according to a new report led by Northumbria University.