“A really helpful session covering all areas of the Ofsted framework. The suggested questions are really useful”
Laura Creswick , Assistant Head , Teaching & Learning, Nailsea School
Do you have a strong curriculum & teaching ?
Summary of the New Ofsted Framework for 2025
The new Ofsted framework, set to be introduced in September 2025, brings significant changes to how schools in the UK are evaluated. A ‘strong’ rating reflects a school that is performing well across various areas, including having a strong curriculum & quality of teaching, with effective leadership and a supportive environment for both students and staff.
- Do you know what Ofsted are looking at and for? Do you know how to satisfy lines of enquiry and how to predict questions and inspection themes?
- Do you know what questions they may ask? And who they want to speak with?
- Do you know what evidence if required to present within an inspection?
- Are you aware of the new framework and the implications this has on teaching and leading within a school?
Here are the key points:
- Five-Point Grading Scale: The overall effectiveness grade will be replaced with a five-point grading scale for each evaluation area, including a new top ‘exemplary’ grade. This aims to provide a clearer and more detailed understanding of a school’s performance.
- Focus on Inclusivity: There will be an increased emphasis on support for disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This change highlights the importance of equity in education.
- Contextual Inspections: Inspectors will consider the unique circumstances and challenges faced by each school. This approach ensures fairer and more relevant evaluations, particularly for schools in diverse and challenging environments.
- Developmental Approach: The new framework aims to transform inspections into a more supportive and developmental experience. Detailed feedback and continuous improvement will be key components, helping schools to identify and address issues more effectively.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Schools are encouraged to engage with parents, carers, and the wider community about the changes. This collaboration aims to build support and ensure that everyone is working towards common goals.
Why book this CPD on a strong curriculum & teaching?
The course focuses on Ofsted’s standards for Curriculum and Developing Teaching
This one-day INSET will guide you though the expectations of graded inspections, so that you can fully understand how holistic and interconnected the inspection process looks in schools and colleges.
With a focus on the quality of your school curriculum this one-day course will look at how judgements will be informed through the evidence available in your school.
This programme can be tailored to the needs of your middle / senior leadership team and delivered as a training session or as part of a school improvement programme. For more details on school improvement services see our ‘Preparing for Inspection’ section
JMC Inspection Team
INSET Outline:
Changes to the Ofsted Inspection Framework from September 2025
- Key points of emphasis in the current Ofsted framework
- Unpacking the changes to graded inspections
- Types and timings of inspections, related to outcomes
- Changes to the ‘Safeguarding’ judgement and possible outcomes
Overview of Graded inspections
- Unpacking the ‘curriculum’ & ‘developing teaching’ standards
- Inclusivity methodology on inspection
- Providing robust support for disadvantaged and vulnerable students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Achieving a Strong Curriculum and Teaching
- Introductory conversations with leaders
- What subject leaders need to know
- Lesson Visits and learning walks
- Work scrutiny examples
- Use of assessment
- Pupil Outcomes
- Pupil meetings/Pupil voice
How judgements are made
- Achieving a ‘secure’’ judgement and how to elevate it to ‘strong’
- Planning for accurate self-evaluation
- Hints to being inspection ready
“Thank you so very much for the fantastic INSET yesterday. It was without doubt the best INSET I have attended and absolutely met my hopes of providing a ‘health check’ and ideas to energise, the buzz this has already stimulated has been great”.
Hilary Barry, Director of Studies, Highfield School
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