The New Ofsted FE Toolkit: What Providers Need to Know
If you work in Further Education or skills, you’ll know that Ofsted inspections are already rigorous. But change is coming. From 10 November 2025, the current FE and Skills Inspection Handbook will be replaced with a new Inspection Toolkit — and Ofsted has already released a draft version for consultation.
What does that mean?
The draft is not yet binding, but it shows where Ofsted is heading.
Providers now have a valuable window to prepare before the new framework takes effect.
Even if some details shift after consultation, the broad direction is clear: more transparency, more granular judgments, and a sharper focus on inclusion, governance, and impact.
Below, we break down the main changes side-by-side — so you can see exactly how the landscape is shifting and where to focus your prep.
Key Changes & What’s New
Things to Watch Out for / Prepare For Now
Data systems & tracking: You’ll need stronger learner-level data, especially on inclusion, disadvantage, and SEND.
Curriculum design & inclusive practice: Inclusion must be integrated, not bolted on. Staff CPD is critical.
Workload & wellbeing: Show that staff workloads are manageable and wellbeing is actively supported.
Provider context: Be ready to explain your specific learner mix, funding context, and geographic challenges.
Evidence & documentation: Keep policies current and accessible. Avoid last-minute “Ofsted-only” documents.
Governance: Ensure governors can speak confidently about inclusion, skills alignment, and quality assurance.
Ready or Not, November 2025 Is Coming
The new Ofsted FE toolkit isn’t just a change of paperwork — it’s a complete shift in how providers are judged. With separate grades per provision type, tougher scrutiny on inclusion, and report cards that make weaknesses visible at a glance, the margin for error has never been smaller.
The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Here’s what our clients have already achieved with our support:
£5.9m worth of funding accessed in just the last two years
£1.8m clawback savings through reduced ESFA error rates
98% of providers using our Inspector Calls Programme achieving Ofsted grades of Good or better
98% client recommendation rate
And that’s not all — our Governance to Go Programme and governance frameworks have been specifically highlighted in Ofsted Outcome Reports as a strength.
How this translates into real value for you:
Turn learner feedback into evidence inspectors value
Show governors and leaders speaking with one confident voice
Prove inclusion and safeguarding are embedded in practice, not box-ticking
Present data that demonstrates not just outcomes, but impact
Book a no-obligation consultation today and let’s benchmark your readiness against the new framework.
When November 2025 arrives, “close enough” won’t be enough. Now is the time to prepare. Our mock inspections, governance reviews, and curriculum MOTs are already helping providers access millions in funding, reduce ESFA clawbacks, and achieve Ofsted grades of Good or better.
Get in touch here.