Ofsted changes for the 2021/22 academic year: summary

Last reviewed on 1 June 2022
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School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 42941

Ofsted updated its inspection handbooks for September 2021. See what's changed for this academic year, including inspection guidance on sexual harassment and the extension of inspection windows.

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Contents

  1. Quick summary: what's changed?
  2. Ofsted transitional period still in place
  3. COVID-19 adaptations in your school
  4. Harmful sexual behaviour
  5. Inspection intervals extended by up to 6 terms
  6. Risk assessment process for formerly exempt 'outstanding' schools
  7. Careers information, education, advice and guidance (CIEAG)
  8. Section 8 inspection handbook changes
  9. Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) changes
  10. Other changes Ofsted has made

Quick summary: what's changed?

Ofsted's transitional period will last until September 2022 COVID-19 adaptations in your school New paragraphs on harmful sexual behaviour in the School Inspection Handbook (paragraphs 67, 235, and 314 to 316) Extended inspection intervals of up to 6 terms for the first inspection following the pandemic Removal of the risk assessment process for the first inspection following the pandemic for formerly exempt schools New section on careers information, education, advice and guidance (CIEAG) in the School Inspection Handbook (paragraphs 264 to 267) Section 8 inspection handbook changes Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) changes Ofsted won't use teacher-assessed grades from 2020 and 2021 Inspectors will look at how you use tutors, if you've deployed them to support education recovery Ofsted will look at how you support staff teaching outside of their subject expertise References to early career teachers (ECTs) instead of newly-qualified

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