Ofsted Big Listen: What the New School Inspection Changes Mean
The Ofsted Big Listen has brought significant changes to school inspections in England.
Following feedback from teachers, school leaders, parents and other education professionals, Ofsted introduced a new approach to inspections in November 2025.
The changes aim to provide clearer information about school performance, improve transparency and place greater emphasis on inclusion.
What Has Changed Following the Ofsted Big Listen?
1. Ofsted Has Removed Overall School Judgements
Ofsted no longer gives schools a single overall effectiveness grade, such as ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’.
Instead, inspectors assess different areas of school performance and publish their findings through School Report Cards.
This approach gives parents, carers and education professionals a clearer picture of each school’s strengths and areas for improvement.
2. School Report Cards Provide More Detail
The new School Report Cards assess several important areas, including:
- Quality of curriculum and teaching
- Pupil achievement
- Attendance and behaviour
- Inclusion
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Leadership and governance
- Safeguarding
Inspectors use a five-point grading system for most areas, ranging from ‘Urgent Improvement’ to ‘Exceptional’.
They assess safeguarding separately as either ‘Met’ or ‘Not Met’.
3. Greater Focus on SEND and Inclusion
One of the most important changes involves how Ofsted evaluates support for vulnerable and disadvantaged learners.
Inspectors now assess inclusion as a separate area.
This includes looking at how schools identify and meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The framework also places greater emphasis on removing barriers to learning and supporting pupils who face challenges accessing education.
For schools, this means demonstrating how they support individual learners and help them make progress.
4. Changes to Inspection Notifications
Following the Big Listen, Ofsted introduced Monday notifications for routine school inspections, with exceptions for certain circumstances.
This approach aims to reduce uncertainty for school leaders and staff.
Ofsted has also introduced changes to its inspection processes to improve consistency and support staff wellbeing.
5. A Different Approach to Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding remains a central part of every inspection.
Ofsted introduced a process that allows inspectors, in certain circumstances, to pause an inspection when they identify safeguarding weaknesses.
Where appropriate, this gives school leaders time to address concerns before inspectors return and complete their assessment.
However, schools must continue to meet their safeguarding responsibilities and demonstrate that they protect children effectively.
What Do These Changes Mean for Alternative Education?
The renewed inspection framework places greater emphasis on inclusion, attendance and the experiences of children who face barriers to education.
At Ed Net, we work with schools and local authorities to provide individualised 1:1 tuition for young people who cannot currently access mainstream education.
Our Tutors support students with SEND, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), school anxiety, medical needs and other challenges.
We recognise that progress looks different for every young person.
For some students, success begins with building trust, attending a session or feeling confident enough to engage with learning.
Through flexible 1:1 tuition, we help schools support these young people and maintain their connection with education.
Looking Ahead
The Ofsted Big Listen marked an important change in how inspectors evaluate schools.
The renewed framework offers a more detailed picture of school performance, with inclusion and pupil wellbeing playing a more prominent role.
For schools and education providers, the focus remains on providing appropriate support, removing barriers and helping every young person access education.
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