Post 16 INSET: 6th Form Ofsted Deep Dives

“Thank you, you made everything seem less scary”

Richard Stubbs, Head of Maths, Abbey Park School

The Ofsted Ready 6th Form: Preparing for a Deep Dive

Are you deep-diving into 6th form subjects? 

As a senior leader, curriculum manager or programme/subject lead do you know what the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) means for you, your role and your provider? There is certainly more emphasis on the curriculums design, implementation and impact for all programmes and provision types that will be under scrutiny.

• How can you make sure that you are ever ready?
• How can you prepare your provider/department/colleagues for inspection?

You will have heard the term ‘a deep dive’ – what does this entail and how can you and your team prepare for this. This course will help you to draw up a personalised plan of action.

Schools with a 6th form

Ofsted give maintained schools, academies and non-association independent schools a separate grade for 6th form provision as part of school inspections which will contribute to the overall ‘quality of education’ judgement.

Further education colleges, 6th form colleges and designated institutions

Ofsted carry out enhanced full inspections to further education colleges, sixth-form colleges and designated institutions. This enhancement includes an additional worded sub-judgement, linked to the quality of education and leadership and management key judgements, on the contribution the college is making to skills needs.

Are you a Principal in an FE College, Sixth form College or a Specialist College? You may find our GFE College Improvement Reviews are what you are looking for. Find out more here

JMC Inspection Team

What is an Ofsted Deep Dive?

With a renewed focus on the quality of your providers curriculum intent, implementation and impact, this course will look at how judgements will be informed through the evidence available in your provider.

Guiding you through the different deep dive activities, questions and lines of enquiry, this course will support you in your preparations for future inspection activity. In addition, this will support your understanding for how you can ensure your provider is ‘ever ready’.

This workshop is relevant for any provider delivering 16 to 18 study programmes, apprenticeships, adult skills programmes, traineeships and/or t levels.

You might also be interested in The Ofsted Ready Leadership Team

or The Ofsted Ready School 

INSET Aims:

1. Interpret Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework
2. Provide an overview of the deep dive methodology
3. Understand and apply deep dive activities and how evidence is used to make judgements

Arrange for a Mock Deep Dive in your school or subject area

Contact our Inspection team to arrange a ‘Mentoring Dive’ to reassure your team & allay any fears 

JMC Inspection Team

INSET Outline

Introduction to the Deep Dive Methodology

• Interpreting the Ofsted Framework
• Overview of the Deep Dive Methodology

How judgements are made by inspectors

• Curriculum lead interviews
• Teacher interviews
• Lesson visits
• Work scrutiny
• Use of assessment
• Pupil Outcomes
• ‘Unpicking’ personal development, behaviour, and attitudes,
• Safeguarding, H&S and equality,
• Data analysis.

Planning for a deep dive in your school or college

• Sample questions for subject leaders
• Work scrutiny examples
• Planning for accurate self-evaluation

School feedback on this training has been overwhelmingly positive :

“Very well delivered and above & beyond what was advertised! “

Alan Glasgow, HOD IT & Computing, Norton Hill School

“Outstanding – extremely helpful & has built my confidence”

Miranda Rawlinson, HOD History, Pate’s Grammar School

“Really useful for what a deep dive means and what to say to Ofsted”

Justin Jones, HOD English, KLB School