From September, Ofsted will roll out ungraded inspections. In this blog I'll break down what you need to know and what to look out for.

• What is an Ungraded Ofsted Inspection?
• What are the Key Differences Between a 'Full' Inspection and an Ungraded Inspection
• Why are Ofsted introducing Ungraded Inspections?
• How Long is an Ungraded Inspection?
• What happens during an Ungraded Inspection?
• Are all schools eligible for Ungraded Inspections?
• Safeguarding failures can still result in an inadequate judgement

What is an Ungraded Ofsted Inspection?

Starting with the most obvious question, let's define what an ungraded inspection is.

Sir Martyn Oliver announced that these inspections herald a new approach to work in collaboration with school leaders. Ungraded inspections, like their name implies, will not result in a graded judgement for a school. Instead, the focus will be to check that your school continues to meet the standards from your previously graded inspection.

The idea is that ungraded inspection will reduce the administrative burden on schools while maintaining accountability and fostering continuous improvement​.

What are the Key Differences Between a 'Full' Inspection and an Ungraded Inspection

Outcomes

Ungraded inspections will not assign a new grading judgement​. The exception to this is if a serious safeguarding incident or failure is identified.

Duration

Ungraded inspections are expected to last no more than one day and won't include subject deep dives.

Focus

Inspectors are to take a more informal approach and will call the headteacher the day before the visit. This call is being positioned as an opportunity to collaborate, and the headteacher will be invited to identify areas that they wish to improve in their school.

Inspection Methodology

Ungraded inspections are more flexible, emphasising open dialogue and collaborative discussions​ with senior leaders. However, inspectors will continue to rely on the existing Ofsted framework so it won't all be plain sailing. Do expect to discuss and defend education quality, behaviour, personal development, and leadership at your school.

Reporting and Feedback

After the visit, you will receive a letter confirming whether your school continues to meet good or outstanding standards. There will be no formal judgement​.

Why are Ofsted introducing Ungraded Inspections?

Increasing criticism of Ofsted about whether or not it is a positive force for school improvement has prompted reflection.

School leaders who have expressed a need for a more collaborative and less punitive inspection process​​.

Ofsted has already been running a form of Ungraded Inspection through their monitoring visits with underperforming schools. Extending this process to Good and Outstanding schools makes a lot of sense. It gives Ofsted the ability to continue regulating the sector while reducing the burden and stress on schools.

From what Sir Martyn Oliver has said so far, approaching schools through open dialogue and professional discussions will provide school leaders with opportunities to reflect on how well they're leading their schools and what they could improve upon further.

How Long is an Ungraded Inspection?

Only schools that have an existing rating of good or outstanding will be eligible for ungraded inspections. This applies to maintained and academies through all phases.

Ofsted haven't confirmed whether all graded full inspections of good and outstanding schools will stop and it's best not to expect them too.

New schools and those with lower judgements will continue to receive full graded inspections.

What happens during an Ungraded Inspection?

From what we know so far, here’s what will happen:

Pre-inspection Call

The inspector will call the headteacher the day before the inspection takes place. The focus will be to discuss the school's context, priorities, and progress since the last inspection. This conversation helps shape the inspection plan, ensuring it focuses on relevant areas​.

Initial Meeting

On the day, the inspection begins with a meeting between the inspector and the school’s senior leaders. This sets the agenda for the day and will focus on key areas such as safeguarding, leadership, and the overall quality of education​.

Professional Conversations

Inspectors engage in professional dialogues with senior leaders, teachers, and other staff members. These conversations cover the school's self-evaluation, current performance data, and specific focus areas identified during the pre-inspection call. This approach aims to facilitate a constructive dialogue about the school's strengths and areas for improvement​.

Learning Walks

Instead of subject deep dives, inspectors conduct learning walks to observe the general educational environment and the impact of the curriculum. The aim is to assess pupils' personal development and the overall school atmosphere without the pressure of detailed subject scrutiny​​.

Documentation Review

Inspectors review key documents, including the school’s self-evaluation, single central record and safeguarding records. This helps verify that the school continues to meet high standards​​.

Feedback Session

The inspection concludes with a feedback session where inspectors share their findings with the school’s senior leaders. This session provides a summary of strengths and areas for improvement without assigning a new grade​​.

Are all schools eligible for Ungraded Inspections?

The process involves professional conversations with senior leaders and a review of the school's self-evaluation and performance data. This shorter duration aims to minimise disruption to the school's daily operations while still providing a thorough review of its standards.

Safeguarding failures can still result in an inadequate judgement

Something that has flown under the radar is that inspectors retain the power to make critical and serious judgements on safeguarding under the Ungraded Inspection process.

If a major safeguarding issue is identified, an inadequate judgement can be passed. From what has been released so far, this is the process that will take place:

Identification and Immediate Action

Inspectors will address any significant safeguarding concerns as a priority. They will engage in discussions with school leaders and the designated safeguarding lead to evaluate the nature and response to the incident​.

Evaluation of Safeguarding Practices

Inspectors will thoroughly review the school's safeguarding measures to determine their effectiveness. They are required to assess whether the school's policies and practices sufficiently protect pupils and adhere to statutory requirements​.

Judgement on Safeguarding

While ungraded inspections do not typically result in formal grades for areas such as quality of education or leadership, safeguarding is an exception. If safeguarding is found to be ineffective, inspectors have the authority to judge the school inadequate in this area. This judgement is critical as it pertains to the safety and well-being of pupils and can lead to significant follow-up actions​.

Reporting and Follow-Up

If a school is judged to have inadequate safeguarding practices, this finding is reported, and Ofsted will schedule a monitoring inspection within three months to ensure that necessary improvements are made. The school will receive detailed feedback and must implement corrective actions promptly to address any deficiencies​.

Safeguarding remains a crucial aspect where inspectors can and will make decisive judgements to ensure pupil safety. School SCR strengthens your safeguarding by improving your single central record management, ensuring you're 100% compliant and streamlining your Safer Recruitment vetting checks.