In November 2025, the new Labour Government introduced a new framework for Ofsted inspections.
No one-word overall judgement is now given to schools with, instead, a traffic light report card given ranging from blue (exceptional), dark green (strong standard), light green (expected standard), amber (needs attention) to red which indicates urgent improvement is needed.
Schools are still judged and assessed on key areas including achievement, curriculum and teaching, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance. Primary schools are also judged on Early Years provision, whilst secondary schools with sixth forms are also judged on their post 16 provision.
Check out the Ofsted report cards for all the city’s schools inspected under the new framework. This is based on the Ofsted reports published at the time of publication of this article.
9. Barnes Infant Academy
Barnes Infant Academy was inspected by Ofsted on May 12, 2026. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing, leadership and governance, Early Years, and curriculum and teaching were all judged to be at the expected standard. | LDRS
10. Northern Saints Church of England Academy
Northern Saints Church of England Academy was inspected on January 27, 2026. Inclusion and personal development and wellbeing were judged to be at a strong standard, whilst achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, Early Years, and leadership and governance were all deemed to be at the expected standard. | Iconic
11. Grindon Infant School
Grindon Infant School was inspected on January 20, 2026. Attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, Early Years, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing were all judged to be at the expected standard. Achievement was deemed to be in need of attention. | sn
12. South Hylton Primary Academy
South Hylton Primary Academy was inspected by Ofsted on December 2, 2026. Achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, Early Years, Inclusion, leadership and governance, and curriculum and teaching were judged to be at the expected standard. | Google