- Most education providers positive about collaborative' and
respectful' inspections under Ofsted's renewed framework
- A clear majority said inspection would help improve their
school, nursery or college
- Around three-quarters agreed inspection took account of, and
was tailored to, the context in which they work
- New report cards welcomed by providers for accuracy in
capturing children and learners' experiences
- Workload and wellbeing highlighted as ongoing challenges, but
most providers say inspectors took actions to minimise stress
A year after new-look inspections began, most education providers
feel generally positive about their experience under Ofsted's
renewed Education Inspection Framework (EIF), according to
independent research published today.
More than 6 out of 10 respondents said their inspection would
help them improve their school, early years or further education
provision, and nearly three quarters agreed that inspection had
identified the best of their provision.
The vast majority of those inspected under the new approach
agreed that their inspection had been conducted respectfully
(88%), collaboratively (76%) and empathetically (78%). Almost
three quarters (74%) agreed that inspectors had sought to take
account of their provision's unique context, and a similar
proportion (72%) agreed their inspection was tailored to, and
took account of, the context of their provision.
Providers were also generally positive
about the content of their report card, and
the vast majority (81%) agreed it accurately described what it is
like to be a pupil, learner or child at their provision.
This initial phase of research by IFF Research - an independent
social research agency - gathered the views of school, early
years and further education leaders through focus groups and
online surveys following inspection. Headteacher union NAHT had
input into the question design.
In focus groups, providers spoke about the collaborative nature
of inspections under the renewed framework, an experience
described by one primary school:
I'd say that was right from the planning call as well we were
just co-producing the mechanics of the inspection. Then when we
actually got into the inspection, it felt like we were
co-producing that report. I really felt involved with all of the
gradings that we were given.
The research also identified some ongoing concerns to be
addressed. Workload and wellbeing remain the clearest challenges,
with 4 out of 10 providers saying the inspection negatively
affected their or their staff's mental wellbeing a fair amount'
or a lot' - rising to nearly half in schools.
However, more respondents believed the benefits of inspection
outweighed any negatives (48% to 31%) and that the workload
caused by inspection was manageable (55% to 27%). Nearly 7 out of
10 providers recognised that the inspection team took actions to
minimise stress. And 63% of respondents said they felt positive
about the inspection process once it was over.
His Majesty's Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver,
said:
When I joined Ofsted, there was a clear need to change the way we
inspected to reduce the pressure on education leaders, while
still upholding high standards for children. This will always be
the delicate balancing act at the heart of our work.
The data published today shows that we are on the right track. We
are inspecting first and foremost in the interests of children
and maintaining high standards, while at the same time improving
the experience for the hard-working professionals in our
nurseries, schools and colleges.
I know that workload and wellbeing in education continue to be
challenging, and I don't take that lightly. We will keep
listening to feedback from professionals and parents alike as we
continue to improve what we do.
Today's report sets out the first tranche of findings from IFF's
research and reflects the experiences of those inspected during
the initial implementation phase of the renewed EIF, from January
to April 2026. The IFF will publish a full report in 2027,
capturing the experiences of those inspected across the first
full year of inspections under the renewed framework.
Ofsted remains committed to listening to providers and will
continue using feedback to inform improvements.
- ENDS -
Notes to editors
- Ofsted's renewed EIF introduced new evaluation areas and
grades - set out in colour-coded report cards - and placed a
greater emphasis on inclusion, wellbeing and collaboration
throughout the inspection process. Inspections under the renewed
framework began in November 2025 with schools that volunteered to
be part of the first wave of inspections. Routine inspections
began in January 2026.
