Questions Ofsted might ask you based on your subject

Get a handle on what Ofsted could ask you and your colleagues about a subject during a graded inspection 'deep dive', all in one place. See what inspectors could ask about art, computing, English, geography, history, maths, modern foreign languages, PE, PSHE, and science.

Updated
on 25 September 2024
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School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 47558
Contents
  1. Which subjects get a 'deep dive'?
  2. How deep dives work
  3. How to use our questions
  4. General questions
  5. Art and design
  6. Computing
  7. English
  8. Geography
  9. History
  10. Maths
  11. Modern foreign languages (MFL)
  12. PE
  13. PSHE
  14. Science
  15. Differences between primary and secondary deep dives
  16. How to prepare
  17. Role-specific questions

Inspectors use deep dives to consider the 'intent, implementation and impact' of your curriculum as part of the 'quality of education' assessment in graded inspections.

See paragraphs 245 to 247 of the School Inspection Handbook for more details.

Ofsted has emphasised that it doesn't make judgements on specific subjects, lessons or teachers. Instead, inspectors use deep dives to help them arrive at an overall 'quality of education' judgement.

Which subjects get a 'deep dive'?

During graded inspections in primary schools, Ofsted will:

  • Always do a deep dive in:
    • Reading
    • 1 or more foundation subjects
  • Often do a deep dive in maths

In secondary schools, Ofsted will usually focus on a sample of 4 to 6 subjects.

Ofsted no longer carries out deep dives during ungraded inspections. 

See paragraph 245 of the School Inspection Handbook for more details.

How deep dives work

Who's involved?

Subject leads in primary schools don’t need