Ofsted

Teachers observed on ‘curriculum intent’ as Ofsted focus seeps into classroom

One in five teachers report receiving feedback on curriculum intent following a lesson observation

One in five teachers report receiving feedback on curriculum intent following a lesson observation

New workforce data shows an increasingly grim outlook for teacher recruitment and retention
Exclusive

Schools are misusing Ofsted language and “exporting pressure” onto teachers by judging lessons based on curriculum intent, leaders are warning.

Teacher Tapp statistics published this week revealed that around one in five teachers reported receiving feedback on curriculum intent following a lesson observation

More than one in 10 have been asked to judge a lesson on its relevance to the curriculum.

Curriculum intent was introduced under the 2019 new inspection framework as part of the quality of education judgment.

It is described as the extent to which a school’s curriculum “sets out the knowledge and skills that pupils will gain at each stage”.

But a 2019 Ofsted blog titled “Busting the ‘intent’ myth”, states that when evaluating intent “inspectors will primarily consider the curriculum leadership provided by senior, subject and curriculum leaders”.

Schools ‘misusing Ofsted language’

Dan Morrow, chief executive of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, warned that schools were “misusing Ofsted language in school improvement”.

Morrow said that it “isn’t the role” of classroom staff to focus on intent and it would be “harmful” for them to focus on this aspect of curriculum. It means “they will be less focused on pedagogy and delivery, and therefore less focused on meeting individual pupil needs”.

“School leaders need to be worried about Ofsted, classroom practitioners need to be worried about the children in front of them,” he added. “If we conflate the two, all we are doing is exporting pressure onto all of our teams in a way which is counterproductive.”

A Teacher Tapp survey in December revealed the extent to which the concept of curriculum intent has permeated schools. Eighty-five per cent of teachers reported they had heard the phrase since September.

Stuart Guest, headteacher at Colebourne Primary School, in Birmingham, said part of the issue was that schools were “trying to cover their own backs” ahead of an Ofsted visit.

Stephen Chamberlain, chief executive of Active Learning Trust and a former Ofsted inspector, added that there will always be “unintended consequences” from a framework as “people always interpret that Ofsted are looking for a particular thing”.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “When looking at curriculum intent on inspection we will talk to leaders to find out whether the curriculum is broad and balanced. We don’t make judgements about the quality of individual lessons.”

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Reframing digital skills for the workforce of tomorrow

No longer just for those with a passion for technology: why digital skills matter

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace tackles harassment, misconduct and safeguarding concerns in schools 

In today’s education climate, where safeguarding, wellbeing and staff retention are under increasing scrutiny, the message is clear: schools...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Beyond exams: why ASDAN’s refreshed qualifications are key to real-world learner success

In today’s outcome-driven education landscape, it’s easy to overlook the quieter, yet equally vital, qualities that help learners truly...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Turbo boost your pupil outcomes with Teach First

Finding new teaching talent for your school can be time consuming and costly. Especially when you want to be...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Ofsted

Ofsted mulls report card inspection delay

Inspectorate considering pushing back the roll-out of new inspections until 2026

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

Nearly two-thirds think Ofsted reforms are worse, ‘alternative’ consultation finds

Survey launched by Ofsted critics finds 90% of respondents said five-point grading system not fit for purpose

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

Ofsted looks at renaming new ‘secure’ grade

Watchdog has been warned parents may not know where the word fits on its proposed new sliding scale

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Ofsted

Peerage for ex-Ofsted chief ‘inappropriate’ say heads

Concerns follow reports Amanda Spielman will be elevated to the House of Lords by the Conservatives

Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

3 Comments

  1. Helen Ahmad

    We had an inset day by an external provider in which it was explained that intent implementation and impact need to be evident in lesson planning. I feel that Ofsted needs to be clearer in their own intent implementation before they make their hefty impact on institutions.

  2. Helen Ahmad

    We had an inset day by an external provider in which it was explained that intent implementation and impact need to be evident in lesson planning. I feel that Ofsted needs to be clearer in their own intent and implementation before they make their hefty impact on institutions.