Ungraded inspections for 'good' and 'outstanding' schools

Section 8 inspections are now called ungraded inspections. Get a handle on what happens before, during and after, and what Ofsted will be looking for, so you and your staff feel ready.

Last reviewed on 25 August 2022

School types: All · School phases: All

Ref: 12955

Contents

To inspect all schools between May 2021 and July 2025, Ofsted will:

Inspect 'outstanding' schools – find out more in the section below
From 2022/23, gradually get to a stage where it will inspect schools only 3 to 4 terms later than usual (at the moment, schools are being inspected around 5 terms later due to the backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic)
For subsequent inspections, return to inspecting schools around every 4 years

This is explained in paragraphs 40 and 60 of the School Inspection Handbook for September 2022.

Following the removal of the 'outstanding' exemption, all formerly exempt schools will now be inspected by July 2025.

If you last received a graded inspection before September 2015, you'll have a graded inspection If you last received