Ofsted’s Inspection Reform: A Step Forward or More Chaos?
From this November, Ofsted inspections in England will be led exclusively by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs), with teams matched more closely to the type of school they are inspecting. The aim? Better consistency and greater context-awareness.
In principle, this sounds like a long-overdue step forward. But in reality, it’s being met with scepticism—and not just from the usual suspects.
What’s Changing
Ofsted has announced that all inspections will now:
Be led by HMIs (not contracted inspectors).
Include team members with direct, relevant experience in the school type they’re inspecting.
Use a new five-part “report card” grading system to break down judgments into categories like leadership, curriculum, and safeguarding.
It’s part of Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver’s wider review of the inspection system, aimed at rebuilding trust in the wake of major controversies, including the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Why School Leaders Are Still Concerned
While the move to HMI-led, school-specific teams has been broadly welcomed by heads’ unions, the bigger picture remains fraught. The main concerns are:
The new report card is being rolled out too quickly, with less than a term’s notice.
Schools are underprepared, and many leaders feel they’ve had little or no say in the reforms.
The new system may still lead to unfair judgments, just broken into five smaller boxes.
The wider framework still feels punitive, rather than supportive or developmental.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has said that without a full overhaul of the inspection framework, these changes risk being cosmetic. They’re calling for a full delay until 2026.
A Sector at Breaking Point
These reforms come at a time when morale is low and trust in Ofsted is at rock bottom. The fact that many headteachers are threatening to withdraw from inspection roles altogether shows just how deep the discontent runs.
In any profession, especially one as emotionally demanding as education, the inspection regime should aim to support improvement, not trigger anxiety. Right now, for many schools, it’s doing the latter.
What This Means for Education Suppliers and EdTech Companies
Whether you’re supplying CPD, curriculum resources, safeguarding tools or pupil tracking software, these changes matter.
The Challenges
Tighter timelines: Schools may shift budgets and priorities to align with the new inspection criteria, with very little notice. This could delay purchasing decisions or change buyer behaviour mid-cycle.
Uncertainty: Until the new system beds in, schools may hesitate to commit to new suppliers, training packages, or technology platforms.
Increased scrutiny: Any product or service that claims to “support inspection readiness” will be under pressure to prove measurable impact across multiple Ofsted report card areas.
The Opportunities
Targeted solutions: The move to more nuanced, category-based reporting gives suppliers an opportunity to align offerings to specific Ofsted themes, like safeguarding, curriculum quality, or leadership development.
Support and advisory services: Schools are crying out for guidance on how to prepare under the new system. Suppliers who can offer expertise, training, or content tailored to the new framework will be in high demand.
Data-driven tools: With a new report card approach, schools will need to present more granular evidence. EdTech solutions that help collect, analyse and present that data effectively will become essential.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt the move to HMI-led inspections is a step in the right direction. But without deeper reform, and more time for schools to adapt, it risks feeling like a new coat of paint on a crumbling wall.
For suppliers, this is a moment to listen, adapt, and support, not just sell. The schools we work with are under immense pressure. Let’s make sure we’re helping them rise to the challenge, not adding to the noise.