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Frequency of Ofsted inspections

Find out how often Ofsted inspects schools under the 2025 framework and get an idea of when your next inspection will be.

Last reviewed on 12 September 2025See updates
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Contents
  1. Routine inspections are paused until 1 December 2025
  2. Most schools will be inspected within 4 years of their last inspection
  3. Schools graded 'urgent improvement' will receive monitoring inspections once per term
  4. Schools graded as 'needs attention' in any evaluation area will also receive monitoring
  5. New schools will usually receive an inspection within 3 years of opening
  6. Further articles on inspection – summary of the changes and pre-inspection checklist

Routine inspections are paused until 1 December 2025

Routine inspections for all state-funded schools will resume from 1 December 2025, and inspections will be carried out under the 2025 inspection framework..

Only schools who have volunteered for early inspection will be inspected before the start of December.

See Ofsted's updated response to its consultation for more details.

Most schools will be inspected within 4 years of their last inspection

Schools will usually receive a routine inspection once every 4 years under the new inspection framework.

The statutory framework requires that all schools receive an inspection within 5 school years from the end of the school year in which the previous inspection took place. For example, if your last inspection was in April 2024, you'll likely be inspected by July 2028.

There are exceptions to this – see the sections below for details.

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