Announcements

These are the announcements for the last six months.

29 October 2026: Release 1.14.0

Features:

• Children's homes sufficiency data layer at local authority level

Improvements:

• Local authority pages restructured: navigation improved, improved sections for early years, schools, further education and skills, social care. New section for deprivation and statistics and charts for schools and further education and skills.

Bug fixes:

• Searching for any local authority now zooms the map to fit that area
• The 'Search this area' button now returns results without an error after you apply a data layer
• List view no longer shows provider data sources when there are no providers to show
• The school counts data layer now shows the correct number of schools

Data updates since last release:

• Updated the pupil attendance data with the latest available figures
• Updated the 16-18 progression data with the latest available figures
• Phonics attainment data has been updated

08 October 2026: Release 1.13.0

Features:

• New data layers added: NEET (not in education, employment or training) at local authority level, and childcare place accessibility at local area, local authority, and region level

Improvements:

• More performance improvements across the service
• Display improvements to local authority, local area, and early years summary pages

Bug fixes:

• Fixed missing local area and local authority information in some map layer popups
• Fixed announcements showing entries beyond the past 6 months
• Fixed incorrect childcare counts in layer popups when accessing via a direct link
• Fixed the childcare layer selection not persisting after applying filters
• Corrected inaccurate FAQ text relating to SEND provision filtering
• Fixed the list view displaying incorrect text when no providers are found

30 September 2026: Release 1.12.1

Improvements:

• Added an indicator to the provider popup to show if the provider has had a monitoring inspection

Data updates since last release:

• Updated the pupil premium data with the latest available figures
• KS2 and KS4 attainment data has been updated

17 September 2026: Release 1.12.0

Features:

• New early years summary page! We've introduced a dedicated summary page that brings together the key data Early Years inspectors need in one convenient location

Improvements:

• Updated GOV.UK design components for a more consistent and accessible user experience
• Improved website performance through enhancements to our caching infrastructure
• Independent schools counts and outcomes have been added to the local area pages
• Package upgrades

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue where the map pin legend did not always refresh correctly between searches
• Inconsistent data layer loading has been fixed
• Fixed an issue where some providers were not showing after applying filters
• Removed SEN provision information from independent school map pop-ups

Data updates since last release:

• Updated the further education and skills - not in education, employment or training (NEET) data with the latest available figures

27 August 2026: Release 1.11.0

Features:

• Find independent schools on the map. You can now search for and explore independent schools alongside state-funded schools, including faith schools and special schools

Improvements:

• Reinstated the further education and skills layer on the map
• Cleaned up the sitemap by removing generic links
• Package upgrades

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an image on the landing page that wasn't loading correctly
• Breadcrumbs on the map now update dynamically as you navigate
• Fixed a URL handling issue with trailing slashes

17 August 2026: Release 1.10.5

Improvements:

• Package upgrades

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue on the local area page charts where duplicate data was showing in cases where the local area is the local authority

06 August 2026: Release 1.10.4

Improvements:

• New look my favourites! We have changed the design of our 'My favourites' page and now show additional information about your saved providers including extra contact information and opening hours for childcare providers
• New look 'View as list'. Easily navigate between viewing providers as list or on the map. Includes a redesigned mobile filter view
• Package updates

Bug fixes:

• Fixed a problem where the incorrect pin was shown and zoom level was incorrect when using the childcare direct link
• A couple of issues with the search radius display have been fixed

Data updates since last release:

• Area SEND inspection outcomes have been updated
• The DfE Funded early education and childcare publication which covers early years pupil premium and registered and take-up rates has been updated
• Children with an Education, health and care plan publication from the DfE has been updated

17 July 2026: Release 1.10.3

Bug fixes:

• Fixed a problem where searching for childcare providers did not show results on the map. Map pins and the search radius now display correctly

16 July 2026: Release 1.10.2

Improvements:

• Guidance content on local area pages has been updated
• 'My list' has been rebranded to 'My favourites'

Bug fixes:

• Fixed pre-school data not appearing in tables on local area pages

Data updates since last release:

• Suspensions and exclusions data from the DfE has been updated

29 June 2026: Release 1.10.1

Bug fixes:

• Removal of the further education and skills layer, while a data issue is being investigated. This feature will be reintroduced once the issue has been resolved

25 June 2026: Release 1.10.0

Features:

• Local area pages provide context for local areas, accessible by searching a postcode or selecting an area from the map popup
• Childcare providers can now be filtered by subtype e.g. full day care, out-of-school care etc
• Additionally resourced provision for special educational needs and/or disabilities in mainstream or special schools can now be filtered by type of need
• Further education and skills delivery locations are now visible as a map layer
• A banner has been added inviting users to express interest in joining our research panel

Improvements:

• A frequently asked questions section has been added to the home page
• Package updates
• Guidance content has been refreshed

Bug fixes:

• Corrected a margin sizing issue affecting mid-sized screens
• Fixed a mis-styled header on the Cookie Policy page
• Fixed provider popups incorrectly displaying null values in place of years
• Fixed a pagination issue

Data updates since last release:

• Suspensions and exclusions data from the DfE has been updated
• Schools, pupils and their characteristics from the DfE, covering English as an additional language, free school meals eligibility, and ethnicity

05 June 2026: Ordnance Survey service update

We are aware that Ordnance Survey, who provide our map service, are experiencing technical issues. Their technology team is actively investigating and working to restore service as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

18 May 2026: Release 1.9.1

Improvements:

• Package upgrades

14 May 2026: Release 1.9.0

Features:

• Link directly to the local authority map page or context page using its name. For example, to get to the map page use 'explore.ofsted.gov.uk/maps/local-authority/North Northamptonshire/' or to the context page use 'explore.ofsted.gov.uk/local-authorities/Bristol/'.

Improvements:

• Package upgrades

Bug fixes:

• Fix incorrect link to the Information Commissioner's Office UK GDPR Individual rights guide on the Privacy notice.
• Searching for a partial local authority name now takes you to a list of possible matches, not to the first result in the search drop-down.