This week I highlight Ofsted’s confirmation of changes to school inspection; a free Governors for Schools webinar on hot topics facing governors this term and updated statutory guidance on how LAs and schools work together to identify and support children missing education to receive a suitable education.

Ofsted confirm changes to school inspection
Ofsted is replacing single-word judgements with report cards that grade schools across six to eight areas. This includes a new inclusion category and a revised leadership and governance category in which inspectors will consider the extent to which governors/ trustees:

• are knowledgeable about their statutory duties and carry them out effectively
• support and challenge the school’s leaders effectively
• understand their role in considering and addressing leaders’ workload and wellbeing
• assure themselves that leaders have an accurate understanding of the school’s context and are prioritising the right actions for improvement
• ensure that systems for monitoring and quality assurance are fair, valid and constructive, and inform continuous improvement
• hold leaders to account for the impact of the school’s professional learning programme for staff
• hold leaders to account for the school’s support and provision for disadvantaged pupils who may face barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing

Reforms will take effect from 10 November, with Ofsted initially prioritising volunteer schools before launching the new system nationally from 1 December. I have provided a full Summary of Changes for you in today’s email.

Alongside this, the DfE has published the outcome of its accountability consultation with ‘school profiles’ to be introduced that aim to provide parents with a fuller picture of school performance alongside report cards.

Free Governors for Schools governance webinar on Thursday 18 September 2025
Governors for Schools and their regular host, Steve Barker from Judicium Education, are holding their first webinar of the academic year on Thursday 18 September from 8-9am. The session will bring all those involved in school and academy governance up-to-speed on what’s happening in education and how it’s set to impact governance this term. It will feature the usual Q&A section and a copy of the slides and a recording of the webinar will be shared with delegates via email after the session. You can use this link to register for the session via the Governors for Schools website.

Update statutory guidance Children missing education
On Monday the DfE published its updated statutory guidance for local authorities and schools on how they work together to identify and support children missing education to receive a suitable education. The update aims to address inconsistencies in practice and add clarity as well as providing a summary of responsibilities and a policy and procedure checklist.