Ofsted’s new 2025 inspection framework and toolkit: what it means for RE?

NATRE has produced a brief powerpoint presentation comparing Ofsted’s current School inspection handbook (September 2024) with the new State-funded school inspection toolkit (2025) due for implementation from November 2025—focused specifically on Religious Education (RE), religion and belief, equalities, and SMSC.

The presentation highlights what continues and what’s new for RE, including: RE’s place in the basic curriculum, the strengthened framing of the curriculum as an “entitlement for every pupil” (including pupils with SEND), the re-framed Personal development and well-being area (with explicit references to faiths and beliefs and British values), a clearer emphasis on Inclusion and protected characteristics, explicit recognition of prejudice-motivated bullying (including on grounds of religion or belief), and expectations to track participation so all pupils including those with SEND, access RE and related opportunities.

This report was produced by our research officer Deborah Weston with support from Dr Richard Kueh.

Access Ofsted Changes 2025 PowerPoint here.