What replaced Ofsted grades, explained
31 March 2026
From 10 November 2025, new Ofsted inspections use a six-area report card on a five-point scale, plus safeguarding met or not met. As of 31 March 2026, only 937 inspections had been published under the new framework. Most schools still show an old-framework grade.
Single-word grades are being replaced. Inspections carried out from 10 November 2025 are published as report cards covering six areas: inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; attendance and behaviour; personal development and well-being; leadership and governance.
Each area is judged on a five-point scale: exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement. Safeguarding is judged separately, as met or not met.
Coverage takes time. Until a school is reinspected, its old-framework grade remains the live grade. TrustlyEd shows old grades and new report cards side by side so you can see which schools have actually been reinspected.