In recent years, Ofsted has made curriculum its main focus and it is no surprise to see curriculum taking centre stage in the new framework. The focus on curriculum intent, breadth and depth is a welcome one that opens up interesting conversations.

Ofsted is looking not just at what you decide to teach but also what this says about your ambitions for your students and how your approach to teaching and learning makes these ambitions a reality.

These curriculum seminars are designed to support senior and middle leaders with responsibility for curriculum and/or quality assurance. Our new online delivery includes a 60-minute, pre-recorded seminar with Colin Logan and Tom Middlehurst on the principles of curriculum design, followed by a live session with Tom Middlehurst where you will explore SSAT’s four pillars of curriculum design and learn how you can quality assure your curriculum offer.

Content

Seminar 1 (Pre-recorded)
Hosted by Colin Logan and Tom Middlehurst

• What do we mean by curriculum?
• Principles of curriculum design
• Ofsted and Quality of Education

Seminar 2 (Live)
Hosted by Tom Middlehurst

• Unpacking the Ofsted framework – expectations around curriculum and deep dives
• SSAT’s 4 pillars of principled curriculum design: reviewing your current curriculum provision and identifying areas for development
• Focus on quality assurance – evidencing curriculum impact
• Curriculum, Covid-19 and a post-recovery curriculum
• Informal discussion with colleagues (optional)

Projected outcomes

• Participants will leave with a full understanding of the requirements of the new Ofsted framework. They will be confident that they know the questions Ofsted will ask about their curriculum design and delivery and gain ideas about how best to evidence the quality of their provision.
• They will be equipped with resources and guidance to work through with colleagues back at school and will have gained practical ideas from curriculum leads from other schools.
• Consider a post-Covid-19 curriculum when schools return.

Key Speakers

Colin Logan

Colin has worked at five large comprehensive schools as a languages teacher, head of department and faculty, deputy head and finally headteacher. He was also a senior adviser in the National Strategies in the data and evaluation team. He joined SSAT in 2011 and is currently a senior education lead with responsibility for data, accountability and inspection.

Tom Middlehurst

As Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Tom leads on SSAT’s responses to government policy and explores the implications of policy on school practice. He also directs the SSAT National Conference programme. He recently wrote SSAT’s publication SSAT on Curriculum.