You are here:
Ofsted inspection: curriculum FAQs from small schools, special schools, PRUs and AP settings
Not sure how the 2019 framework will apply in your setting? Get answers to frequently asked questions about curriculum inspection in schools like yours.
Contents
- How does Ofsted decide which deep dives to do?
- We're an all-through school. Will Ofsted do the same deep dives in our primary and secondary phases?
- Multi-site pupil referral units/AP academies: will Ofsted inspect the curriculum across bases or is it base-specific?
- Special schools are more likely to create personalised curricula or have pre-subject learners. Does Ofsted take this into account?
- How will Ofsted inspect the curriculum in short-term schools?
- Can headteachers join deep dive meetings with subject leaders?
- Can we show inspectors our internal assessment data even if they don't ask for it?
- Some schools struggle to recruit subject specialists. Does Ofsted take this into account?
- In small schools, staff may lead multiple subjects. Does Ofsted consider this?
- What if we don't have a subject leader for each subject?
- What's the difference between the initial phone call in a section 8 inspection vs a section 5?
- What if Ofsted picks a deep dive subject for which there aren't enough timetabled lessons on a given day?
More from The Key

Pupil mental health: deepening understanding
Are you looking to deepen your staff's understanding of mental health, including anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal ideation? Safeguarding Training Centre has the resources you need.
Upskill your staff, any time, anywhere with CPD Toolkit.
The most effective way to deliver engaging virtual training to support the professional development of your staff.
Downloadable courses and 5-minute online summaries provide flexibility for training, whether staff are participating in-school, via video call or independently at their own pace.
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 2 - 9 April 2021 9 Apr 2021 08:00 New
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 26 March - 2 April 2021 2 Apr 2021 08:00 New
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 19 - 26 March 2021 26 Mar 2021 08:00 New
- Need-to-know: DfE publishes new Early Career Framework guidance 25 Mar 2021 12:35 New
- In the news: Your weekly round-up for 12 - 19 March 2021 19 Mar 2021 08:00 New
The Key has taken great care in publishing this article. However, some of the article's content and information may come from or link to third party sources whose quality, relevance, accuracy, completeness, currency and reliability we do not guarantee. Accordingly, we will not be held liable for any use of or reliance placed on this article's content or the links or downloads it provides. This article may contain information sourced from public sector bodies and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.