Ofsted Toolkit v2.0: The 4 Changes Your August SEF Missed
Episode notes
The inspection toolkit most schools read on INSET day stopped being the live version on the first Monday of term. Version 2.0 has been in force since 7 September — same five grades, same evaluation areas, and four changes Ofsted named itself: "and similar schools" in the achievement wording, mobile phone policies, families in the inclusion area, and who walks with the inspector on a learning walk. A deputy head checks her August SEF against all four.
Sources: Ofsted — State-funded school inspection toolkit v2.0 (June 2026, for use from 7 September 2026) — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-inspection-toolkit-operating-guide-and-information/inspection-information-for-state-funded-schools-for-use-from-september-2026 ; Ofsted press release, 12 June 2026 — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/inspection-materials-updated-ahead-of-september-2026 ; School inspection operating guide for inspectors, September 2026.
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