Guidance

Changes to education inspection from September 2015

Details of the changes to how Ofsted will inspect early years provision, schools and further education and skills from September 2015.

This guidance was withdrawn on

On 14 May 2019 Ofsted launched a new education inspection framework for September 2019.

Ofsted launched far-reaching changes to the way it inspects early years provision, schools and further education and skills. These changes came into effect in September 2015 and included:

  • the introduction of a common inspection framework for all early years settings on the Early Years Register, maintained schools and academies, non-association independent schools and further education and skills providers
  • short inspections for maintained schools, academies and further education and skills providers that were judged good at their last full inspection, conducted approximately every 3 years
  • significant changes to Ofsted’s inspection workforce: after September 2015, Ofsted contracts directly with inspectors for maintained schools, academies, non-association independent schools and further education and skills inspections

The changes were a result of the consultation ‘Better inspection for all’ and subsequent response.

New inspection documents

The new common inspection framework and handbooks for Ofsted inspectors came into effect from September 2015 for the inspection of schools, further education and skills and early years provision:

Explaining the changes

Read a summary of the changes:

The future of education inspection: understanding the changes

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Materials from the national launch events

Throughout June and July 2015 Ofsted held a series of 8 national launch events. These gave education leaders and practitioners an opportunity to learn more about the changes.

Read the keynote speech by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw. Sir Michael Wilshaw introduces the changes and sets out how great leadership is at the heart of the reforms.

View slides from briefing sessions on the common inspection framework, schools, early years and further education and skills:

Published 15 June 2015