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How to read Ofsted grades in 2026

Last updated 16 October 2026

Depending on when a school was last inspected, you will see one of three kinds of result. They come from different frameworks and Ofsted says they cannot be compared.

Report cards (from November 2025)

Five steps, each area graded
  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
How a report card looks here
  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement

An example, not a real school: one dot per area, on the row of its grade.

Areas: inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; attendance and behaviour; personal development and wellbeing; leadership and governance; and early years and post-16 where the school has them. Safeguarding is judged separately: standards met or not met. There is no overall grade.

Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale. Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Graded inspections, September 2024 to November 2025

Grades for each area on the previous four-point scale, but no overall grade.

Older inspections

OutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate

Before September 2024 schools received one overall grade on this four-point scale, and many still hold one. We show these in words, without colour, so they are not read as report card grades. An ungraded inspection (for example "School remains Good") confirms the earlier grade without regrading the school.

Where schools stand now

22,011 state-funded schools, Ofsted data as at 30 September 2026. New report cards each month.