• News
  • |
  • World Travel
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
  • |
  • Educational Articles
    • Art & Culture
    • Books & Literature
    • History & Politics
    • Lifestyle & Relationships
    • Professional Development
    • Science & Nature
  • |
  • About Us
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • |
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Login
THX News | Global News, Travel & Education.
  • USA
    • Business and Commerce
    • Immigration & Border Security
    • International
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Europe
      • Middle East
    • Law & Order
    • Local Government
      • Arizona
        • Phoenix
        • Tucson
      • California
        • San José
      • Oregon
        • Happy Valley
        • Hillsboro
        • Josephine County
        • Portland
        • Salem
        • Washington County
      • Virginia
        • Loudoun
    • Medicine & Health
    • Military
    • Space & Exploration
    • Technology
  • Canada
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Healthcare
    • Housing & Home Building
    • International
    • Military
    • Obituaries
    • Politics
    • Technology & Innovation
  • United Kingdom
    • Economy and Economics
      • Business
      • Jobs & Employment
      • Money and Taxes
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Medical
    • International
    • Law and Order
      • Immigration
    • Military
    • Science & Technology
      • Space and Exploration
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Society & Culture
      • Culture
      • Education
      • Housing & Land
  • Oceania
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • Solomon Islands
No Result
View All Result
THX News | Global News, Travel & Education.
  • USA
    • Business and Commerce
    • Immigration & Border Security
    • International
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Europe
      • Middle East
    • Law & Order
    • Local Government
      • Arizona
        • Phoenix
        • Tucson
      • California
        • San José
      • Oregon
        • Happy Valley
        • Hillsboro
        • Josephine County
        • Portland
        • Salem
        • Washington County
      • Virginia
        • Loudoun
    • Medicine & Health
    • Military
    • Space & Exploration
    • Technology
  • Canada
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Healthcare
    • Housing & Home Building
    • International
    • Military
    • Obituaries
    • Politics
    • Technology & Innovation
  • United Kingdom
    • Economy and Economics
      • Business
      • Jobs & Employment
      • Money and Taxes
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Medical
    • International
    • Law and Order
      • Immigration
    • Military
    • Science & Technology
      • Space and Exploration
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Society & Culture
      • Culture
      • Education
      • Housing & Land
  • Oceania
    • Australia
    • New Zealand
    • Solomon Islands
THX News | Global News, Travel & Education.
No Result
View All Result
Home News Europe United Kingdom Education

Ofsted’s Response to the Big Listen

The inspectorate commits to reforming its inspection approach, focusing on vulnerable children and reducing stress for education and social care providers.

Ivan Golden by Ivan Golden
8 months ago
in Education
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Changes to school inspections. Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. mental health training at Ofsted. Photo by Ofstead. Gov.uk

Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Photo by Ofstead. Gov.uk

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Introduction to Ofsted’s New Approach
    • A Shift Towards Greater Accountability and Support
  • Focus on Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Children
  • Changes to the Inspection Process
    • Summary of Consultation Feedback
    • A New Era for Ofsted

Ofsted has today unveiled sweeping reforms following its largest-ever consultation, the ‘Big Listen.’ The changes aim to alleviate the pressures faced by educators and caregivers while ensuring the continued focus on improving outcomes for vulnerable children across the UK.

 

Ofsted Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver talking to parents. Photo by Ofsted.
Ofsted Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver talking to parents. Photo by Ofsted.

 

Introduction to Ofsted’s New Approach

Ofsted has announced a series of reforms in response to the feedback from its ‘Big Listen’ consultation, where over 20,000 respondents, including parents, educators, and social care professionals, shared their views.

The consultation highlighted the need for Ofsted to rebuild trust, particularly with those working directly in education and social care, by refining its inspection process and focusing more on the needs of disadvantaged children.

 

A Shift Towards Greater Accountability and Support

One of the most significant changes is the phasing out of the contentious single-word judgement in Ofsted reports. This shift will be replaced by a more detailed and informative report card system, which aims to provide a nuanced view of a school’s or care provider’s performance.

This change reflects the broad consensus from the consultation that the single-word judgement often fails to capture the complexities of an institution’s performance, leading to unnecessary stress and misinterpretations.

 

Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, has described these changes as “the beginning of a new chapter” for the organisation.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards while reducing the pressure on those being inspected, stating,

“We share the goal of higher standards for children, especially the most vulnerable, with countless dedicated professionals in education and social care.”

 

Focus on Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Children

Another critical aspect of Ofsted’s reform is the heightened focus on the needs of vulnerable children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Ofsted plans to introduce a specific focus on inclusion in its new report cards, which will help to ensure that the needs of these children are met effectively.

To provide a clearer picture of how institutions are performing in this regard, Ofsted will also pause the publication of inspection reports when safeguarding concerns arise in otherwise high-performing schools.

This will allow time for schools to address these issues before any formal intervention is required, ensuring that the safety of children remains the top priority.

 

Julia as an Ofsted Inspector. Photo by Andee Collard.
Julia as an Ofsted Inspector. Photo by Andee Collard.

 

Changes to the Inspection Process

Ofsted is also revising its inspection framework, and will introduce a new version in early 2025.

This framework will place a greater emphasis on pupil outcomes, particularly in relation to how well schools and other institutions are supporting their most vulnerable students. This is part of a broader effort to close the gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils, which has widened since the pandemic.

Furthermore, Ofsted is introducing another significant change: a new approach to inspection scheduling. Starting immediately, schools will receive inspection notices on a Monday, with the inspection taking place later that same week.

By doing so, Ofsted aims to minimize the anxiety and stress that often accompany the anticipation of inspections, thereby creating a more supportive environment for schools to focus on what matters most – providing high-quality education.

 

Summary of Consultation Feedback

The feedback from the ‘Big Listen’ provided valuable insights into the perspectives of various stakeholders:

  • 72% of parents believe that Ofsted is crucial for ensuring the safety of children and learners.
  • 51% of parents and carers agree that Ofsted acts in the best interests of children, though 13% disagree.
  • 61% of providers reported that inspections place undue pressure on their workload.
  • 47% of professionals expressed discomfort in raising concerns during inspections.

These findings have directly influenced the reforms, underscoring the need for a more supportive and collaborative approach to inspection and regulation.

Percentage of Parents and Carers

Agreement with Ofsted’s Role

72% Ensuring safety of children and learners
51% Acting in the best interests of children
49% Opposed to the single-word judgement

A New Era for Ofsted

Ofsted’s response to the Big Listen is a clear signal of its commitment to change.
Building on this momentum, by focusing on transparency, reducing stress for educators and social care providers, and prioritizing the needs of vulnerable children, Ofsted is aiming to rebuild trust and ensure that it remains a force for good in the UK’s education and social care systems.
As a result, as these reforms begin to take shape, we expect these changes to lead to a more effective, compassionate, and supportive inspection process – one that ultimately benefits children and the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to support them.
In the long run, this could lead to a more positive and productive relationship between Ofsted and those in the education and social care sectors.

 

Sources: THX News & Ofsted.

Tags: Ofsted inspection changes
Ivan Golden

Ivan Golden

Ivan Golden founded THX News™ with the goal of restoring trust in journalism. As CEO and an investigative journalist, he leads the organization's efforts to deliver unbiased, fact-checked reporting to readers worldwide. He is committed to uncovering the truth and providing context to the stories that shape our world. Read his insightful articles on THX News.

Related Posts

Local grass roots Scottish football. Photo by SPFL Trust. Wikimedia.
Education

Inclusion 2028 Programme: Empowering SEND Pupils

May 14, 2025
Apply now for student finance. Graphics by the Student Loans Co.
Education

Student Finance Deadline: Apply Now for 2025 Funding

May 13, 2025
SFE P-T Undergraduate student finance for 2025 - 2026. Artwork by the Student Loans Company
Education

UK Part-Time Student Finance: Apply Online Now

May 12, 2025
Young baby with mother and carer at a childcare facility. Photo by the Department for Education. Gov.uk.
Education

Funded Childcare Expansion: Apply for 30 Hours in England

May 11, 2025
Young children sitting and learning at a classroom table. Photo by iStock.
Education

UK Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships: Accelerating Qualification

May 8, 2025
Summer exams. Photo by C Carl Stead. Flickr.
Education

Digital Exam Results Pilot: UK Government Initiative

May 6, 2025

Explore & Discover More

Business

Exhaustion of Rights Response. Artwork by Intellectual Property Office.

UK+ IP Rights Regime: Continued Benefits

May 15, 2025
Covid Fraud Investigations. Artwork by the Department for Business and Trade.

UK Government Transfers Covid-19 Fraud Investigations

May 15, 2025
Competition watchdog gets green light for growth. Photo by Department for Business and Trade.

UK Government Directive: Economic Growth and Competition Focus

May 14, 2025
Security Industry Authority Logo. Artwork by SIA.

SIA Crackdown: Training Malpractice in UK Security Sector

May 12, 2025

World Travel

Stunning architectural building on a Amsterdam canal. Photo by Amir Appel.

Amsterdam’s Canals: A Hidden History Beneath the Waves

December 9, 2024

A Serene Sunrise: A Monsoon Pilgrimage to Buddha Dhatu Jadi

December 9, 2024

Misty Magic: A Journey to Chimbuk Hill

December 7, 2024
Old Amsterdam canal. Amsterdamer Kanäle. Photo by Bert Kaufmann.

Amsterdam Canals: A Historical Journey

December 1, 2024

Education

The ultimate Supreme Guerrilla advertising. Photo by Suzy Lagasa.

Supreme’s Resale Market: Streetwear’s Economic Shift

April 2, 2025
St George's Building shop window display of Graff Diamonds. Photo by Lisucn Chuaoui Min Reuguae.

Graff’s Exquisite Diamond Cuts: Luxury Redefined

March 31, 2025
Valentino Italian luxury fashion and haute couture. Artwork by Dall-e 3.

Valentino: Italian Luxury Fashion and Haute Couture

March 3, 2025
Breaking World News | THX News

 

News You Can Use.
Know Your Government.

Learn More.

Want to Know More About THX News™?

Local News:

THX News™ now covers government news in some cities in Arizona, Virginia, California, and Oregon.

Early Stage Startup:

THX News™ has no revenue or funding. Social journalism donations welcome

What we are Currently Developing:

We are currently building advanced translation tools and will next be creating an advertising system.

Search

No Result
View All Result
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • RSS

THX News™ 2020-2025

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Australia
  • Canada
    • Community
    • Healthcare
    • Housing & Home Building
    • International
    • Military
    • Obituaries
    • Politics
    • Technology & Innovation
  • New Zealand
  • UK
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Healthcare
    • Housing & Land
    • Jobs & Employment
    • Law & Order
    • Money and Taxes
    • Technology
  • USA
    • Economics & Money
    • Immigration & Border Security
    • International
    • Law & Order
    • Local Government
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Oregon
      • Virginia
    • Medicine & Health
    • Military
    • Space & Exploration
    • Technology
  • —
  • Travel
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • USA
  • Education
    • Art & Culture
    • Books & Authors
    • Fashion
    • History & Politics
    • Lifestyle & Relationships
    • Music
  • —
  • About Us
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Login

THX News™ 2020-2025

THX News™ uses cookies. By using this website you are giving consent to the use of cookies. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.