There is likely to be a fundamental conflict at the heart of Ofsted’s proposed framework. What does an outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate curriculum looks like? Well, it varies from subject to subject and often within subjects there are different views; therein lays the crux of the matter.
It is with a certain level of angst, amusement and apprehension that I await Ofsted’s new Inspection Framework. The angst and amusement are combined; our Curriculum Policy, originating in the last decade, initially contained four main sections: the Curriculum Model, the Planned Curriculum, the Delivered Curriculum and the Received Curriculum (read intent, implementation and impact). It was pretty much dismissed by an inspection team at the time but I was delighted to see the terms resurfacing.
Domestic issues, including education, were well and truly parked last year as Brexit took centre, right and left stage. A few piecemeal announcements added up to very little of substance. However, you sense that many of those who hold the most powerful positions in education sense the need for substantive and coherent change; but will they deliver it?