Ofsted: Are you ready for September 2019?

A new Ofsted framework is heading our way in September 2019, and a growing swell of discussion about the curriculum is already building. But how should we prepare for the gathering curriculum tide and is it already time to begin paddling?

The first wave of Ofsted’s research (October 2017) stated there was little curriculum reflection and a lack of common curriculum language in schools. The effects of this, chief inspector Amanda Spielman said, were:

Ofsted’s most recent (September 2018) research explored the curriculum thinking of 23 “curriculum invested” schools. Inspectors noted strengths and weaknesses in approaches that were knowledge-led as well as those which prioritised skills (although it was noted that progression models for skills-led curricula were harder to achieve). The recognition of a range of valid approaches was important as it should give reassurance to schools concerned that Ofsted might prescribe a particular method (see also, SecEd, September 2018).