Sir Martyn Oliver, the head of Ofsted, sparked a buzz at the 2026 Festival of Education in Berkshire with his keynote speech on the organisation's revamped inspection framework. Implementing its new approach since November, Ofsted has been gathering initial feedback and emerging trends that showcase a shift towards greater transparency and collaboration.
Oliver touted the benefits of increased clarity, saying published toolkits and training materials for inspectors are helping schools understand what's expected of them. This, he claimed, makes inspections feel less like an imposition and more like 'a productive conversation'. Changes to the framework include a pre-inspection planning call to build rapport and ensure inspectors grasp each institution's unique context.
A new dedicated nominee role is also being introduced to ease pressure on school leaders, particularly in smaller primary schools. Oliver expressed satisfaction with these adjustments, saying they contribute to improved wellbeing for both leaders and staff while maintaining high standards.
Initial statistics from nearly 6,000 reports published since November show that 84% of schools and Further Education (FE) providers are meeting or exceeding the expected standard in 'leadership and governance', a crucial area. This suggests strong leadership is driving priorities and fostering high expectations.
In another positive outcome, the 'inclusion' evaluation area has seen 89% of schools and 85% of FE providers meet or exceed the expected standard. Leaders are actively identifying and supporting pupils who need extra help, according to Oliver.
Oliver acknowledged it's still early days for the new framework but stressed that Ofsted will continue to listen to feedback and refine its process. The aim remains to uphold high standards while making inspections fairer, more human, and collaborative.