How Ofsted inspects 'personal development'

Learn how 'personal development' is inspected under the Ofsted framework, including how SMSC development is considered. Download our list of questions inspectors might ask, including ones about British values.

Last reviewed on 9 October 2024See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 38293
Contents
  1. What inspectors are looking for
  2. SMSC development is evaluated as part of the 'personal development' judgement
  3. Relationships and sex education (RSE)
  4. Download our list of questions about British values
  5. Grade descriptions 

What inspectors are looking for

The 'personal development' judgement evaluates:

  • Your school's intent to provide for the personal development of all pupils, and
  • The quality with which you implement this work

Ofsted recognises that you often won't be able to assess the impact of your personal development provision while a pupil is at your school. For that reason, inspectors won't try to measure the impact of your provision on individual pupils. 

Inspectors will check you're: 

Responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults  Pupils’ understanding of the fundamental British values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law and mutual respect and tolerance  Pupils’ character, which Ofsted defines as a set of positive personal traits, dispositions and virtues that informs their motivation and guides their conduct so that they reflect wisely, learn eagerly, behave with integrity and cooperate consistently well with others  Pupils’ confidence, resilience and knowledge