What is Ofsted?
4 min read · updated 2026-09-01
Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education) inspects and rates schools in England. Its reports are public, free, and one of the most useful data sources families ignore when choosing schools.
What inspectors check and the ratings
Inspections cover quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Schools receive an overall rating: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate. Reports also describe specifics, from reading support to attendance culture, which matter more than the headline grade.
How to use Ofsted reports well
Read the full report, not just the grade: the sections on what the school does well and what it needs to improve are honest and specific. Check the inspection date, because a school can change substantially between inspections. And use reports alongside open days and conversations with current parents, since a single snapshot never tells the whole story.
FAQs
How often are schools inspected?＋
Typically every few years, with good schools inspected less frequently than those requiring improvement. The report date on the website tells you how current it is.
Does an Outstanding rating guarantee my child will do well?＋
No. Outstanding schools vary by department and year group, and children thrive differently. Use the rating as one input alongside your child's needs.
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