Schools Advised to Display QR Codes When Promoting Ofsted Inspection Outcomes

Schools across England are being advised to include an official QR code linking to their full inspection report whenever they reference Ofsted findings on banners, brochures or other promotional materials.

Under new guidance from Ofsted, providers remain free to promote their inspection results in any format they choose. However, where printed content from a report card is shared publicly, it should be displayed alongside an official Ofsted QR code badge.

What Has Changed?

Since November last year, inspections have been carried out under Ofsted’s renewed framework. The previous single-word overall judgement was removed in 2024 and replaced with a more detailed report card model.

Schools are now assessed across at least six evaluation areas using a five-grade scale. These findings are published in colour-coded report cards, designed to provide a clearer picture of strengths and areas for development without relying on a single headline grade.

According to Ofsted, this shift allows schools greater flexibility in how they present their outcomes, whether by listing their full suite of grades or quoting specific sections from their report card.

The Introduction of QR Code Badges

To support transparency, new QR code badges have been created for every school, college, training provider and early years setting. These Ofsted-branded badges link directly to each provider’s individual report page on the Ofsted website.

In guidance issued to schools, Ofsted states that where providers share printed excerpts from their report card in marketing or promotional materials, these should be displayed alongside the official QR code badge.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said:

“The beauty of our new report cards is the clear picture they offer about a provider’s strengths and areas for improvement across a wide range of areas, without that blunt one-word judgement casting its shadow over the detail.

Schools, colleges and nurseries are free to promote and celebrate their successes in any way they wish. But it’s important that parents and carers have easy access to their full inspection report card too, so they can understand those findings in their full context.”

Schools can download their QR code badge directly from their page on the Ofsted reports website, where guidance on usage and file types is also available.

Wider Sector Discussion

The new framework has already been used in more than 200 school inspections since November.

However, discussion continues across the sector. The Association of School and College Leaders has raised concerns that early grading patterns may show emerging disparities between primary and secondary schools.

There have also been questions from sector leaders about the decision to combine attendance and behaviour into a single evaluation area, with some arguing this could disproportionately affect schools operating in more challenging contexts.

What This Means for Schools

For school leaders and marketing teams, the message is clear:

• Schools can continue to celebrate and promote inspection outcomes.
• Greater flexibility exists in how strengths are highlighted.
• Where printed content from the report card is used, the official QR badge should accompany it.

The aim, Ofsted says, is to balance celebration with transparency, ensuring parents and carers can access the full inspection findings easily and in context.

Inspection outcomes play an important role in school reputation, community confidence and staff attraction. As schools navigate the updated framework and reporting approach, clear communication and strong staffing remain key.

At NextGen Teachers, we work closely with primary, secondary and SEN schools to provide high-quality teaching and support staff who strengthen teams and support improvement priorities.

If you’re reviewing your staffing strategy following inspection, or simply planning, we’re here to help.

Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your school.