Ofsted's primary role is to provide an independent assessment of the quality of education and care in schools through regular inspections. Following significant reforms in late 2025 and early 2026, the inspectorate has moved away from single-word overall judgements in favour of a more detailed Report Card system.

Key Functions of Ofsted in 2026

• Evaluation Areas: Schools are now graded across six core areas: inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance.

• The Five-Point Scale: The previous four-point system has been replaced by a five-point scale consisting of Exceptional, Strong Standard, Expected Standard, Needs Attention, and Urgent Improvement.

• Safeguarding Assessments: Safeguarding is now judged as a standalone 'Met' or 'Not Met' requirement, rather than being folded into a broader leadership grade.

• Inclusion Focus: There is a renewed and direct emphasis on how effectively a school supports disadvantaged pupils and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

• Accountability and Improvement: By providing a narrative summary for each evaluation area, Ofsted aims to give parents clearer information and provide school leaders with more specific, actionable feedback to drive standards.