As schools prepare for the evolving demands of Ofsted鈥檚 2025 inspection framework, one thing is clear: support services - especially those relating to SEND, inclusivity, and speech & language - will be under greater scrutiny than ever before.
Whether you're a senior leader, SENDCo, or inclusion lead, it鈥檚 crucial to ask: how confident are you in your current provision? Regular benchmarking of your current provisions could be the difference between meeting new expectations - or falling short when it matters most.
The reality is, many schools are working hard to support their vulnerable pupils. But without clear, evidence-backed benchmarking, it鈥檚 difficult to know for sure whether your provision meets expectations, or where gaps might be hiding.
In a climate of increased accountability and higher expectations around inclusion, regular benchmarking of your SEND provision isn鈥檛 a 鈥榥ice-to-have鈥� - it鈥檚 essential for ensuring compliance, improving pupil outcomes, and safeguarding your school's reputation.
What are the 2025 Ofsted Changes?
The upcoming changes to Ofsted鈥檚 inspection framework place greater emphasis on inclusive practice, with a specific focus on how schools are supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, including within mainstream schools.
馃搶 According to the Department for Education, over (DfE 2025). That makes strong, well-evidenced provision more important than ever.
In short, schools are expected not only to deliver effective support but also to prove it - with clear data, evidence of impact, and alignment with best practice.
This increase in emphasis on inclusion in Ofsted inspections represents a shift in values, reflecting a growing understanding that excellent education is not just good grades - it is also measured by the extent to which a school supports its most vulnerable learners.
What is Benchmarking and How Will It Help In Evaluating My School鈥檚 SEND Provisions?
Put simply, provision benchmarking is an objective review of your current support services, measured against national standards and sector best practice.
Done well, benchmarking helps schools to:
- Identify and build on strengths in their current provision
- Spot gaps, inconsistencies, or areas of underperformance
- Ensure alignment with statutory requirements and inspection frameworks
- Provide robust evidence for SLT, governors, and Ofsted
Rather than a one-off task, benchmarking is a proactive habit - giving schools clarity, accountability, and confidence in their provision.
The good news? With the right tools, benchmarking your provision can be straightforward, insightful, and a powerful driver of improvement.
The Risks of Not Benchmarking
The upcoming changes to inspection frameworks, combined with increased scrutiny on inclusivity and SEND outcomes, mean that schools can鈥檛 afford to wait.
Without regular benchmarking, it is easy for hidden issues to go unnoticed until they surface during an inspection. Risks include:
- Gaps in provision
- Missed opportunities to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND or Speech and Language needs
- A lack of clear, actionable data to inform provision planning
Evaluating and improving provisions is not just about compliance - but about giving every child the support they need to succeed.
Quick Wins Through External Benchmarking
An external perspective can be a game-changer in ensuring your provisions are at the best possible standard. With , schools can benefit from:
- Fresh expert insights based on experience and national benchmarks
- Traffic-light style reports that clearly show what鈥檚 working, and what needs attention
- Tailored, practical recommendations to support improvement planning
This kind of review doesn鈥檛 have to be time-consuming or complex - in fact, we鈥檝e designed a way to make it both easy and impactful!
Benchmark Your Provision - Introducing 91黑料 Therapy鈥檚 Provision Check-Up
To support schools in these important changes, for a limited-time only, we鈥檙e offering a to help schools benchmark their SEND and SALT provisions with confidence - no strings attached.
Here鈥檚 what you鈥檒l receive:
- A personalised traffic-light benchmarking report
- Clear insights into your current strengths and areas for development
- Tailored, practical recommendations aligned with Ofsted鈥檚 2025 priorities
Whether you're preparing for an inspection or simply want a clear view of how your support services stack up, this is an extremely valuable step forward.
馃棑锔� with one of our education experts, and gain clarity, confidence, and a clear improvement roadmap.
Spaces for this free initiative are limited, and demand is already growing as schools prepare for September and beyond. Secure your consultation today and take a proactive step towards stronger, evidence-backed provision.
Because when it comes to supporting vulnerable pupils, guessing isn鈥檛 good enough - and confidence comes from clarity.
