Achievement Audit for Schools (2026/27, Ofsted Toolkit)

The Achievement Audit for Schools (2026/27) is an editable audit for the achievement evaluation area of Ofsted's school inspection toolkit, for inspections of schools in England from September 2026. It helps leaders evaluate the quality and impact of pupils' achievement across all phases, fairly and from evidence, and plan what to do next.

2026/27 edition. Updated from our November 2025 "Grading Achievement Audit" to the current toolkit and its five-point scale: exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention and urgent improvement.

What's inside

• Guidance on who to involve and a four-step method: gather evidence, rate, record commentary, set actions
• Suggested evidence sources and worked examples of evaluative commentary, with what to avoid
• Audit tables covering attainment, progress and readiness for the next stage
• A focus on disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND and children known to social care
• Leadership actions for improving achievement and a review cycle for SLT and governors

Who it's for

Headteachers, senior leaders, curriculum and assessment leads, governors and trust quality assurance teams.

Editable Word document, 13 pages. Adapt it to your own school and check your judgements against the current toolkit on GOV.UK.

Also included in the Ofsted Audit Tools Pack, with audits for every evaluation area.

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