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How Ofsted inspects curriculum and teaching

Understand how Ofsted will inspect curriculum and teaching under the 2025 framework, and the key evidence inspectors will consider. Use our self-evaluation tool to review your current provision.

Last reviewed on 16 September 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 37734
Contents
  1. Curriculum and teaching is graded on a 5-point scale
  2. How you'll be graded 
  3. Evidence Ofsted will want to see
  4. Inspectors will take account of your context
  5. Use our self-evaluation tool to review your provision against the framework
  6. Next steps

Curriculum and teaching is graded on a 5-point scale

Curriculum and teaching is 1 of the evaluation areas that will appear on your school’s inspection report card.

Each evaluation area will be graded using Ofsted’s new 5-point grading system, with Ofsted expecting most schools to attain at least an 'expected standard' in each area. The exception is safeguarding, which is either 'met' or 'not met'. 

During the planning call, the lead inspector will ask you to evaluate your school's strengths and successes and priorities for improvement, including where you believe you currently sit on the 5-point grading scale for each evaluation area.

The grades are:

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

Your requirements won’t have significantly changed from previous inspections. In practice, Ofsted will look at similar aspects