Independent evaluation of Ofsted’s renewed approach to education inspection: terms of reference
Published 10 November 2025
Applies to England
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Introduction
We are undertaking a major programme of reform to reset our relationship with those we inspect and regulate and to work in partnership with them to put children and learners first.
Following the recommendations of the Dame Christine Gilbert review, we have committed to carrying out independent research to monitor and evaluate our reforms, and to track perceptions of Ofsted’s culture over time.
Following a competitive procurement process, we have commissioned IFF Research to design and deliver a robust, multi-stage evaluation assessing the implementation and impact on providers of the changes we are making to education inspection.
Purpose
The research aims to answer the following question:
Is Ofsted’s renewed approach to education inspection being implemented as planned and having the impact we intended?
The evaluation will gather independent evidence from providers on the extent to which we are achieving what we set out to do. The commission is part of a broader programme of work evaluating the value of the changes for parents and carers, children and learners, and inspectors.
Approach
The evaluation will be carried out independently by IFF Research using a multi-stage, mixed-methods design. It will combine pre- and post-research surveys and in-depth qualitative research to understand how Ofsted’s renewed approach to education inspection is being implemented and what impact it is having.
Stage 1: Baseline survey in autumn 2025 We will survey all providers inspected in summer 2025 to understand their views and experiences before the new reforms are introduced.
Stage 2: In-depth qualitative research in spring 2026 We will carry out detailed interviews and discussions with providers inspected under the renewed approach to understand how the reforms are working in practice, including any early or unexpected impacts.
Stage 3: One-year post-inspection evaluation and monitoring survey with providers in 2026/27 An independently administered census of all providers inspected under the renewed education inspection framework will be carried out. This rolling survey will run for 12 months (and may continue in future years) to provide an independent assessment of how providers experience inspections. It will help measure whether the intended changes are being achieved in practice, and will form a key part of Ofsted’s ongoing evaluation of the reforms.
Publication
A final evaluation report will be published in 2027.
Contact
For further information about the evaluation, please contact: research_surveys@ofsted.gov.uk