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How Ofsted inspects post-16 provision

Understand how Ofsted will inspect your school's post-16 provision, and the evidence inspectors will consider under the 2025 framework. Use our self-evaluation tool to review your current provision.

Last reviewed on 22 September 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 38308
Contents
  1. Post-16 provision is evaluated on a 5-point scale
  2. What Ofsted is looking for
  3. How you'll be graded
  4. How Ofsted will gather evidence
  5. Use our self-evaluation tool to review your provision 
  6. Next steps

Post-16 provision is evaluated on a 5-point scale

'Post-16 provision' is an evaluation area under the 2025 inspection framework. (This area was known as 'sixth-form provision' under the previous framework.)

The evaluation areas will appear on your school’s inspection report card. Each area will be graded using Ofsted’s new 5-point grading system, with Ofsted expecting most schools to attain at least an ‘expected standard’ in each evaluation area. The exception is safeguarding, which is either 'met' or 'not met'.

During the planning call, the lead inspector will ask you to evaluate your school's strengths and successes and priorities for improvement, including where you believe you currently sit on the 5-point grading scale for each evaluation area.

The grades are:

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement

You don’t need to create new or specific types