Education Inspection Framework for September 2023
The educational evaluation framework ('the framework') outlines the inspection procedures employed by Ofsted for maintained schools, academies, non-association independent schools, further education and skills providers, and registered early years settings in England.
Formulated by His Majesty's Chief Inspector, the framework, effective since September 2019, establishes the guiding principles for inspections and the key assessments made by inspectors during evaluations of various educational establishments. The framework promotes consistency in inspection across diverse educational settings and facilitates comparability for learners transitioning between different institutions.
Throughout this document, the term 'learners' is utilised for conciseness, encompassing all individuals attending educational, skills-based, and registered early years settings.
The framework adheres to pertinent legislative requirements for each specific setting. These inspections are conducted under various legislative acts, including the Education Act 2005 (as amended), Education and Inspections Act 2006, Education and Skills Act 2008 (Section 109), Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and the Childcare Act 2006.
The framework is accompanied by an inspection handbook for each of the 4 remits:
- Registered early years provision;
- Maintained schools and academies;
- Non-association independent schools; and
- Further education and skills.
These handbooks elucidate the inspection criteria for each judgement area, taking into account the requirements of different educational phases and age groups. Inspectors evaluate provisions that align with their expertise and training.
Principles of Inspection and Regulation
Inspection procedures are designed to foster improvement, user focus, and resource efficiency, in accordance with the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Independent evaluation through inspections identifies areas for enhancement, aiming to elevate provision quality to 'good' or better. This process is guided by evidence collection, aligned with the inspection framework and all the encompassing policies and legal mandates concerning safeguarding, equality, and diversity.
Inspections offer vital information to parents, caregivers, learners, and employers regarding the calibre of education, training, and care. This information empowers stakeholders to make informed choices, leveraging inspection reports for decision-making.
The framework delineates judgments relevant to all educational, skills-based, and early years provisions. These judgments are underpinned by consistent, well-researched criteria. While inspectors adopt comparable evidence-gathering approaches across diverse settings, certain variations may occur, influenced by factors like learner age and provision type. Inspectors follow pertinent guidance and codes of conduct while nurturing a spirit of curiosity.
Inspections provide assurance to the public and government that education, skills, and childcare standards meet minimum requirements. This encompasses prudent utilisation of public funds and effective safeguarding measures.
A Force for Improvement
Ofsted's core purpose centres on catalysing improvement through diligent, responsible, and targeted inspections and regulations. This principle underpins the framework, with the primary goal of inspections being to enhance education provisions. Further insights can be found in the 'Ofsted Strategy 2022–27'.
Through robust evidence, research, and inspector training, judgments are rendered with utmost validity and reliability. These judgments highlight strengths that other providers can learn from and weaknesses that need rectification. Inspections act as a stimulus for action within the broader educational landscape.
The guidance in full is available here: Education inspection framework for September 2023
Helping to Protect Learners
Learners' safety and support remain paramount during inspections. While a separate grade isn't assigned for this aspect, inspectors assess the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements within the 'leadership and management' judgement.
Inspectors approach safeguarding assessments according to specified guidelines. Familiarity with statutory safeguarding guidance is expected, with relevant guidance integrated into the inspection process. This includes guidance such as 'Keeping Children Safe in Education,' 'Working Together to Safeguard Children,' and the Equality Act 2010.
Conduct During Ofsted Inspections
Ofsted's code of conduct outlines expectations for inspector behaviour and provider cooperation. Inspectors maintain highly professional standards, treating all encountered individuals fairly, respectfully, and sensitively.
Providers uphold integrity by offering transparency, honesty, and open access to evidence for inspectors. This ensures honest, accurate, and reliable inspection reporting, free from misleading information.
Provision Inspected Under the Education Inspection Framework
The framework encompasses inspections of the following:
- Maintained schools and academies;
- Non-maintained special schools;
- Pupil referral units;
- Non-association independent schools;
- Further education and skills providers;
- Independent learning providers;
- Community learning and skills providers;
- Employers funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency for employee training;
- Higher education institutions providing further education;
- Providers of learning in judicial services;
- National Careers Service – careers advice and guidance; and
- Registered early years settings.
Grading Scale and Inspection Judgements
Inspections employ a 4-point grading scale for principal judgements:
- Grade 1: Outstanding
- Grade 2: Good
- Grade 3: Requires Improvement
- Grade 4: Inadequate
The framework ensures that inspectors make a coherent set of judgements across the different education, skills and early years settings. The remit handbooks set out the methods inspectors use to gather evidence and the main criteria they use to make judgements. In most instances, these methods and criteria are common across the different remits, but there will inevitably be some variation.
Additional Judgements and Provision Types
Specific types of provisions are subject to distinct evaluations:
- Early years settings: Inspection includes registration and regulation activities for the Early Years Register, emphasising quality and compliance.
- Non-association independent schools: Inspections verify compliance with Independent School Standards.
- Schools with sixth forms: Separate grading for sixth-form provision contributes to the overall evaluation.
- Settings with residential and boarding provisions: Inspections adhere to Children Act 1989 standards.
- Further education and skills provision: Various provisions within this sector are inspected and contribute to overall effectiveness assessment.
In summary, the introduction provides an overview of the framework's purpose, principles, and scope. It underscores the importance of inspections for improvement, safeguarding, and transparency in educational provisions across diverse settings.