Ofsted’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman has announced “a major investigation into how well schools are using the curriculum to ensure children receive a broad education”.
The study, which is currently being scoped, will look for examples of good practice across all education settings, consider the potential problems, such as curriculum narrowing, and how they can be avoided. It is expected to address concerns that the pressures of accountability are leading some schools to ‘game’ the system.
This follows Ofsted’s guidance to inspectors which highlights signs that schools are ‘gaming’ the system, for example, a drop in the numbner of pupils on roll between entry and year 11 or pupils being entered for qualifications that do not meet their needs.
Ofsted are expecting to publish a report from this investigation later in the year.