Ofsted's education inspection framework (EIF) and updated handbooks apply to:
- maintained schools and academies
- non-association independent schools
- further education and skills providers
- early years settings
View the education inspection framework on GOV.UK
Ofsted approach
Ofsted want to find out how well settings are helping children to thrive, both emotionally and in their education
- so the educational gap does not get wider
- to make sure that no child gets left behind
Carrying out inspections
All inspections will be carried out on site wherever possible. However, some elements of the inspection may be through video or telephone calls. Inspectors will agree this with the provider at the start of the inspection. This will usually only involve parents or carers, and those with leadership responsibility, who are unable to attend the setting.
Ofsted have confirmed a move to a 6-year inspection window. Each provider has their own inspection window determined by their last inspection judgement.
How Ofsted prioritise
They will take a proportionate and risk-based approach to who is inspected first.
Ofsted aim to inspect, or reinspect the following settings:
- new settings - within 30 months of registration
- requires improvement grade - within 1 year
- inadequate grade - within 6 months
Providers will be prioritised by who:
- were judged less than good at their last inspection, which includes those who received an interim visit in the autumn term
- have recently registered and not been inspected, and whose first inspection is overdue
- were not inspected in the last inspection cycle due to a pause in routine inspection
Ofsted will continue to carry out any urgent inspections where there are significant concerns about a provider.