Ofsted will target weak schools - and even some judged to be "satisfactory" - with extra inspections in a new drive to raise standards, it was announced yesterday.
But the best schools will be largely left alone to get on with the job, the watchdog said.
Reduced Ofsted visits for top schools will last just one day and be conducted usually by only one inspector under the new system, which will be introduced from September.
Schools which Ofsted judges to be inadequate and serves with an official "notice to improve" will receive extra monitoring visits six to eight months after their full inspection.
This is designed to help make sure the school is doing enough to improve to at least "satisfactory" standards within a year.
Failing schools which are in Ofsted's lowest category - "special measures" - already get extra monitoring visits.
But even some satisfactory schools with "pockets" of weakness will face extra visits under Ofsted's plans.
Chief inspector of schools Maurice Smith said the new approach was "more proportionate to risk" and better value for money.
But headteachers' leaders have attacked the idea of targeting satisfactory schools with extra visits.
Headteachers' leaders attacked the plan for targeting satisfactory schools with more Ofsted visits.
Reducing inspections for the best schools is a sensible approach, said John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.
"We are completely opposed to an increase in inspection for schools graded 'satisfactory'.
"This will increase the pressure on heads and schools that are already under immense pressure.
"Ever since Ofsted started the Government has used it to increase pressure on heads and schools.
"In the last two years there has been an increase in heads losing their jobs after a difficult inspection.
"Inspecting schools more does not help them to improve."
Both Ministers and inspectors have pledged to tackle schools which, while not fail-ing, are "coasting" and should be doing much better.
