I was doing an on-site demo recently, and in the chat afterwards we ended up talking about the Ofsted changes. One of the team said: “Everyone’s focused on the teaching, but so much of it actually falls on us — the site staff.”
That struck me. Teachers and leaders may get the headlines, but estates and facilities staff shape the environment that inspectors see first-hand.
I'm sure you already know, but from 10 November 2025, Ofsted will stop giving schools a single overall grade. Instead, each school will get a report card with separate grades for curriculum, attendance & behaviour, leadership, achievement, and inclusion — plus a safeguarding verdict of “Met / Not Met” ([DfE, Sept 2025]).
The grading scale is also changing to five levels: Exceptional, Strong Standard, Expected Standard, Needs Attention, Urgent Improvement ([Schools Week, Sept 2025]).
This follows intense pressure for reform after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023.
These reforms were born out of real pressure for change. Still, early reactions I've seen from the sector show deep scepticism.
Rebranding? Ruth Perry’s sister called it “cosmetic rebranding” ([Guardian, Sept 2025]). Some heads describe it as “Nando’s-style ratings” ([Tes, Sept 2025]).
Stress and workload – Over 90% of leaders polled by NAHT opposed the plans, warning they’ll add pressure, not reduce it ([NAHT survey, Sept 2025]).
Rushed rollout – With the framework published in September and inspections starting November, nine in ten leaders say schools haven’t had time to prepare ([NEU poll, Sept 2025]).
The Confederation of School Trusts has welcomed Ofsted’s willingness to tweak its proposals, but warned that consistency and execution will be crucial.
So the framework is changing — but confidence in it is not yet secured.
And here’s the point: whether you see these reforms as progress or just rebranding, there’s one part schools can control — the environment.
Safeguarding, compliance, accessibility, and presentation all fall heavily on site and estates teams. And they underpin every grade on the report card.
Which got me asking around: what are others actually doing? The smartest move I keep hearing is simple — run your own mock inspection, sooner rather than later. Announce it the day before. Walk the site as an inspector would. Check the files. Test the systems. See what impression it gives.
No blame, no finger-pointing — just a conversation afterwards about what you noticed, and what you can improve (and yes, investing in compliance and premises software is one of them!).
Safeguarding Walk – Check gates, locks, alarms, visitor systems. Remove hazards and log checks.
Compliance Folder – Fire, water hygiene, asbestos, electrical, and first aid records in one place and up to date.
Accessibility Audit – Test ramps, lifts, toilets, signage, and acoustics. Record barriers and mitigations.
Daily Standards Checklist – Corridors, toilets, and grounds clean and safe. Assign clear responsibility.
Emergency Drill Readiness – Review fire drill logs and evacuation plans. Inspectors may ask.
Maintenance Log – Up to date and transparent. Shows how quickly issues are resolved.
Reception & Parent Areas – Tidy, welcoming, and clearly signed. Visitor facilities working.
Contractor Protocols – DBS, sign-in, and RAMS all in order. Works risk-managed.
Capital & Condition Evidence – One-page summary of recent works and planned improvements.
Brief Support Staff – Receptionists, caretakers, cleaners confident if asked about routines.
That estates lead ended our chat by saying: “If we just walked the school like Ofsted will, we’d spot 90% of the issues before they did.”
He’s right.
The new framework may change the labels, but the stakes are the same. And while site teams may never get named in the report, your work underpins every single grade.
So why not turn it into a positive? Run a mock inspection, then sit down together and talk about what you’ve spotted. Use it as a chance to fix the quick wins, plan for the bigger jobs, and show inspectors — whenever they arrive — that your school is safe, well cared for, and always looking to improve.
I know everyone’s busy, and your to-do list is already long. A mock inspection might feel inconvenient. But I don’t think you’ll regret it — especially if it helps you uncover something serious that just needed addressing. Better to find it yourselves now, than have Ofsted find it later.
Statlog - The complete solution for premises & compliance management, trusted by educational leaders