How Ofsted Inspects Curriculum & Teaching: A Guide for SLT

Understanding the 2025 Framework: Curriculum & Teaching

Under the 2025 Ofsted inspection framework, Curriculum and Teaching is now a separate evaluation area on the inspection report card. This judgement focuses on how well your school designs, delivers, and adapts a high-quality curriculum for all pupils—and whether teaching enables pupils to learn securely over time.

While terminology has evolved, the fundamentals remain familiar:

• A curriculum that is ambitious, coherent, and inclusive
• Teaching that helps pupils remember and apply knowledge confidently

What Inspectors will look for in Curriculum & Teaching

Ofsted evaluates Curriculum and Teaching across five key areas:

1. Strategic Leadership

Inspectors will consider how clearly leaders set the direction for curriculum and teaching, monitor quality, and ensure staff have the training and support they need.

2. Strong Foundations for All Pupils

Expect scrutiny of early reading, language development, vocabulary, and core maths skills. Pupils who struggle should receive timely, targeted support to keep up—not catch up later.

3. School and Subject Curriculum

Inspectors will look for well-sequenced content, clear progression, and subject leadership that ensures pupils build knowledge logically over time.

4. Teaching Quality

Teaching should be consistent, clear, and impactful. Inspectors will want to see effective explanations, checks for understanding, and adaptations for different needs.

5. Inclusive Practice

Inclusion is integral—not an add-on. Ofsted will examine how well the curriculum supports disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, and pupils known to social care.

How Ofsted Grading Works in Evaluating Curriculum & Teaching

Curriculum and Teaching is judged on a five-point scale:

• Exceptional
• Strong standard
• Expected standard
• Needs attention
• Urgent improvement

Most schools are expected to meet at least the expected standard, which means:

• A well-planned curriculum with clear end points
• Teaching informed by pupils’ needs and evidence-based practice
• Strong subject knowledge and effective assessment
• Systematic phonics for early reading
• Reasonable adjustments for pupils with SEND

No More Deep Dives

Subject-specific deep dives are gone. Instead, inspectors will focus on your school’s context, priorities, and how effectively the curriculum is planned, taught, and adapted.

Evidence Inspectors Gather to Evaluate Curriculum & Teaching

Expect first-hand evidence through:

• Discussions with leaders and staff
• Learning walks across subjects
• Reviews of pupils’ work
• Conversations with pupils
• Close attention to disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND

No additional documentation is required—inspectors want to see practice in action.

Context Matters

Ofsted recognises that high-quality practice looks different across schools. Judgements take account of size, phase, and pupil needs. For smaller schools, sharing expertise or adapting curriculum models is understood. For SEND provision, inspectors will consider starting points and reasonable adjustments.

How JMC Education Can Help

JMC Education offers a comprehensive range of services to strengthen curriculum and teaching and prepare your school for inspection:

Curriculum Support: Whole-school and departmental curriculum reviews, subject-specific INSET, and training for an Ofsted-ready curriculum and teaching.

Inspection Preparation: Mock Ofsted inspections, leadership mentoring, and strategic planning for inspection readiness.

Inclusive Practice: SEND and inclusion audits, pupil premium strategy development, and equality, diversity & inclusion reviews.

School Improvement Services: Safeguarding and compliance audits, behaviour culture reviews, governance reviews, and headteacher appraisal and recruitment.

Next Steps

Stay ahead by reviewing our latest resources:

• Summary of changes to the Ofsted inspection framework 2025
• Inspection Spotlight Guides – your dedicated source for the latest news and updates on school inspections.

Ready to strengthen your curriculum & teaching in preparation for your next Ofsted?

Book a Curriculum Review or Arrange a Mock Inspection with JMC Education today.

📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com