Understanding the New
Ofsted Report Card
In November 2025, Ofsted replaced its single overall grade with a new report card system. Here is what changed, what each grade means, and how to read a school's result.
The 6 inspection areas
Every school receives a grade in each of these areas. Some areas only apply to certain school types.
Achievement
How well the curriculum is designed and delivered, and whether pupils make strong progress in their learning.
Behaviour
How well pupils behave in and around school, and their attitudes to learning and attendance.
Personal Development
How well the school supports pupils' wider development - character, resilience, cultural awareness and wellbeing.
Leadership
How effectively leaders and governors drive school improvement and support staff.
Early Years
The quality of education and care for children in Reception and Nursery classes.
Sixth Form
The quality of academic and vocational provision for students in Year 12 and 13.
The 5 grade levels
Each area is graded on a five-point scale, replacing the old four-point Outstanding/Good/Requires Improvement/Inadequate system.
Among the very best schools. Exemplary practice that others can learn from.
Performing above expectations. Strong outcomes with only minor areas to develop.
Meeting the expected standard. Solid performance with room for targeted improvement.
Below expectations in this area. A clear improvement plan is required.
Serious concerns requiring urgent action from the school and, where necessary, intervention.
Example report card
This is what a typical school's report card looks like on School Signal. Each row shows one inspection area and where the school sits on the 1-5 scale.
Sample data for illustration only. Sixth Form is not shown when it does not apply to the school.
What happened to Outstanding and Good?
Before November 2025, every school received a single overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. That single number was convenient but widely criticised for masking a school's strengths and weaknesses. A school could be Outstanding overall while having a weak sixth form, or Good overall while excelling at personal development.
The new report card removes the overall grade entirely. Schools no longer receive an Outstanding or Good label. Instead, parents and inspectors see a grade for each of the six areas, giving a far richer picture. Ofsted believes this reduces the distorting effect of "teaching to the inspection" and better captures what a school actually does.
For schools inspected before November 2025, their previous overall ratings remain on record. School Signal shows both the historical Ofsted grade and any new report card grades so you can track how a school has changed over time.
Frequently asked questions
When did the new Ofsted report card start?
Ofsted introduced the new report card system in November 2025, replacing the single overall grade that had been used since 2005. Schools inspected from that date receive a report card with grades across six areas rather than one headline verdict.
Is there still an overall rating for schools?
No. The new system deliberately does not produce an overall single grade. Ofsted's view is that a single rating oversimplified complex institutions. Each of the six areas now receives its own grade on the 5-point scale, giving a more detailed picture.
What do the five grades mean?
Grade 1 (Exceptional) means the school is among the very best. Grade 2 (Strong Standard) means strong performance above expectations. Grade 3 (Expected Standard) means the school is meeting the standard expected. Grade 4 (Needs Attention) means improvement is needed. Grade 5 (Urgent Improvement) means the school requires urgent action.
Can I still compare schools using the new report card?
Yes - you can compare schools area by area. Because there is no single number, comparisons are richer but require more consideration. School Signal shows all six area grades side by side so you can see exactly where a school excels or needs improvement.