The Ofsted annual report has been released, so lets summarise the key changes and trends in the data for the 2024/25 school year.
The Ofsted annual report: key inspection focus and outcomes
• Overall Effectiveness Grades: A significant change is the removal of the ‘overall effectiveness’ grade from school inspections in September 2024, as a first step towards wider reform across education inspections. 90% of schools held a good or outstanding grade as of 31 August 2024, at the point this grading system was stopped.
• Inspection Activity Levels:
◦ Ofsted carried out more total inspections in 2024–25 than the previous year.
◦ Previously Outstanding Schools: Increase in inspections of previously exempt outstanding schools, with 1,050 inspected in 2024–25, up from 1,000 in 2023–24 and 770 in 2022–23.
◦ Meeting Inspection Targets: In 2024–25, Ofsted met all of its statutory targets for inspections. However, there were shortfalls against internal targets in several areas, including state-funded schools (92% delivered), independent schools (87% delivered), FE and skills (84% delivered), early years (94% delivered), Area SEND (90% delivered), ECF and NPQ lead providers (75% delivered), social care regulatory (98% delivered), and supported accommodation (38% delivered). The shortfalls were attributed to factors like pauses in routine inspections, provider closures, and prioritisation of registration visits for new applicants.
• FE and Skills: 82% of FE and skills providers were judged good or outstanding at their most recent inspection as of 31 August 2024, representing a four percentage point increase compared with 31 August 2023.
• Early Years Provision:
◦ 98% of childcare providers were judged good or outstanding as of 31 August 2024, a one percentage point increase compared with 31 August 2023.
◦ Access to childcare in England has decreased on average in the past four years, with the decline being greatest in the North East, East Midlands, and Yorkshire and The Humber. London was the only region that saw an increase in access.
• Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS): There’s been an improvement in the overall quality, with the proportion of local authorities judged good or outstanding increasing from 53% in 2022 to 60% on 31 March 2024. In 2024-25, 50 ILACS reports were published, with judgements for care leavers being 18 outstanding, 23 good, five requires improvement, and four inadequate.
• Supported Accommodation: This is a new area of inspection. There were 890 active (registered) providers as of 31 March 2025, and Ofsted carried out 50 full inspections in 2024–25, with activity expected to significantly increase in 2025–26.
Navigating the New Landscape: Ofsted’s Evolving Role and Its Impact on Schools in the Coming Year
The educational landscape in England is in constant flux, and Ofsted, the education watchdog, is at the heart of much of this change. Comparing the annual report from the last two years, schools are bracing for a year of significant adjustments. The biggest change is the phasing out of the single, overarching ‘overall effectiveness’ grade, signalling a profound shift in how schools will be assessed and how their performance will be communicated.
Perhaps the most talked-about change is the removal of the ‘overall effectiveness’ grade from school inspections as of September 2024. While 90% of schools held a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ grade when this system ceased, the move reflects a desire for more nuanced feedback. Instead, schools will now receive grades for key judgement areas: ‘quality of education’, ‘behaviour and attitudes’, ‘personal development’, and ‘leadership and management’.
For schools, this means a sharper focus on these individual components, potentially leading to more targeted improvement plans rather than a broad brushstroke judgement. The intention is to introduce “report cards” from September 2025, providing a more detailed and comprehensive picture for parents and stakeholders, moving away from what was widely seen as a high-stakes, simplistic system.
Beyond the grading system, there are several key trends and shifts in Ofsted’s operational focus. Inspection activity levels have generally increased, with Ofsted carrying out more total inspections in 2024–25 than the previous year. Notably, there’s a continued rise in inspections of previously exempt outstanding schools, with 1,050 inspected in 2024–25, up from 1,000 in 2023–24. While Ofsted met its statutory targets for inspections, shortfalls against internal targets in areas like state-funded schools (92% delivered) and independent schools (87% delivered) suggest ongoing operational challenges, partly attributed to pauses for inspector training and prioritizing new registrations.
Financial and workforce data reveal some internal pressures for Ofsted. Total operating expenditure increased from £200,195k in 2023–24 to £208,721k in 2024–25, with a corresponding rise in net expenditure. Staff costs also saw an increase. The Employee Engagement Index decreased to 64% in 2024–25, slightly below the Civil Service benchmark, and while staff turnover improved slightly, sickness absence rose. These internal dynamics could subtly influence the consistency and approach of inspections in the coming year, as Ofsted works to manage its resources and staff well-being.
Crucially, the last two years reports underscore systemic issues impacting schools. The “stubborn and damaging issue of rising pupil absence” remains a prominent concern, with persistent absence affecting over 19% of pupils in autumn and spring 2023/24. This will undoubtedly continue to be a significant focus for inspectors, with schools needing to demonstrate robust strategies for improving attendance, especially for disadvantaged children. Similarly, the pressures on the SEND system are highlighted, with a 140% increase in demand for Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans over the last decade. Schools can expect heightened scrutiny on their provision and support for pupils with SEND.
Ofsted also shed light on unregistered provision, with a continued crackdown on illegal children’s homes and unregistered schools. While the number of cases opened concerning unregistered children’s homes decreased slightly in 2024-25, a high proportion were still found to be operating illegally. Schools might find themselves playing a role in identifying or reporting such provisions, emphasising the broader safeguarding responsibilities within the educational ecosystem.
The upcoming academic year will see schools adapting to a more granular inspection process, moving away from the single headline grade towards a detailed assessment across key areas. This shift, coupled with Ofsted’s sustained focus on attendance, SEND provision, and the identification of unregistered settings, will require schools to meticulously review and refine their practices in these areas. While the aim is to foster a more supportive and less high-stakes inspection environment, the increased detail and evolving priorities will undoubtedly keep schools on their toes, demanding proactive engagement with the new inspection landscape.
The Ofsted annual report 2024/25 highlights changes reflecting their ongoing efforts to reform inspection practices, respond to stakeholder feedback, manage its financial and human resources, and address critical challenges within the education and social care sectors.
If you would like support to boost your scoring on inspection this year, AMHIE offers a range of support for schools. To explore the options, visit our offer page
Lily Blakeledge
The Team at AMHIE