With Ofsted’s sharpened focus on the ambition, coherence, and impact of the curriculum, this half-day course will examine how judgements are now formed across the full inspection framework. Subject leaders are pivotal to this: inspectors will look to you to explain how your subject curriculum has been designed, how it is taught, how pupils learn within it, and how you know it is making a difference.

The workshop will guide you through the deep dive process, exploring the activities inspectors undertake, the questions they ask, and how evidence is triangulated. You will leave with clarity on how to demonstrate the strength of your subject, show impact over time, and ensure your department is “always ready” through consistently high-quality practice.

This is not just about preparing for inspection – it is about strengthening subject leadership so that the principles Ofsted will look for are embedded every day.

Course Aims

• To clarify the latest Ofsted expectations and their implications for subject leadership.
• To understand how inspectors conduct a deep dive and what evidence they use to test curriculum quality.
• To prepare subject leaders to articulate the intent, implementation, and impact of their subject curriculum confidently.
• To equip subject leaders with practical tools to support their teams and ensure their subject is ambitious, coherent, and well-led.

Course Outline

Session 1 – Deep Dive Methodology and the Role of Subject Leaders

• Interpreting the updated Ofsted framework from a subject leader’s perspective.
• Understanding how curriculum ambition and sequencing are tested.
• The role of subject leaders in demonstrating progression models and ensuring pupils build knowledge and skills cumulatively.
• How subject leaders evidence leadership in curriculum design, CPD, and assessment.

Session 2 - How Inspectors Reach Judgements

• Subject leader interviews – what inspectors will ask and how to respond with clarity.
• Teacher interviews – showing consistency and shared ownership of the curriculum.
• Lesson visits – what inspectors look for in subject teaching, routines, and pupil engagement.
• Work scrutiny – how pupils’ work evidences progression and high expectations.
• Use of assessment – aligning assessment to curriculum, avoiding unnecessary workload.
• Pupil outcomes – how to present attainment and progress within your subject.
• Wider framework links – how behaviour, attitudes, personal development, attendance, and safeguarding are supported through subject leadership.
• Data analysis – explaining gaps, trends, and impact with subject-specific evidence.

Presenter Profile

Malcolm Drakes Drakes is a leadership consultant with JMC Education who also works with the National Institute of Teaching and Ambition Institute supporting school leadership and delivering National Professional Qualifications.

He has been a Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and National Leader of Education, typically working with schools in disadvantaged communities.

Cost: £150 per delegate

Booking Form

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