Ofsted has unveiled the postponement of the start date of its new cycle of Inspection for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to be set to start with the 2025/26 academic year. Such an announcement is in pursuance of a written request from the Secretary of State for Education for sufficient time to carry out ‘very significant changes’ within the ITE inspection framework.
Originally, Ofsted had planned to introduce updates to the existing ITE framework during the 2024/2025 academic year. However, the secretary of state requested that the inspection process be delayed for substantial changes to begin with, including the report cards introduced for ITE providers this September 2025.
As part of these changes, Ofsted will conduct a public consultation on the revised ITE inspection framework in January 2025. This postponement will ensure that all ITE providers are inspected using a consistent inspection framework throughout the next cycle, thus ensuring uniformity in the sector.
The typical time when ITE inspections take place is in the spring and summer terms, so it is assumed that most inspections will return in January 2026.
In the interim, Ofsted will continue to assess the quality of ITE provision through alternative methods, including thematic monitoring visits. Additionally, Ofsted will engage with key sector stakeholders during the consultation process to ensure that high standards in teacher education remain a priority.
Re-inspections of ITE providers previously rated below “Good” will proceed as scheduled, ensuring that these institutions continue to be evaluated under the current inspection framework. Inspections related to the Early Career Framework and National Professional Qualification (ECFNPQ) will also go ahead as planned, alongside other Ofsted inspections across different sectors.
Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, expressed his gratitude for the ongoing engagement from the ITE sector in the consultation process. He emphasized that the postponement of the inspection cycle means that ITE providers will be assessed under the revised framework, ensuring alignment with the planned changes.
