Preparing for Ofsted’s Enhanced Focus on Personal Development in 2022
The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is set to place an increased emphasis on personal development in its inspections from September 2022. This change is aimed at ensuring children and young people receive education that develops their character, builds resilience, and prepares them for life in modern Britain. In light of this, it is essential for schools to start preparing for this change in the inspection regime.
What is Ofsted Looking for?
Ofsted’s renewed focus on personal development stems from its belief that education should be more than just academic achievement. The watchdog recognizes that a child’s personal development is just as crucial as the attainment of qualifications, and that schools have a vital role to play in developing each pupil’s character and supporting their well-being.
To evidence schools’ progress towards this goal, Ofsted inspectors will be looking for a curriculum that is broad, balanced, and engages pupils in activities that challenge them to be active, healthy, and responsible citizens. Schools that successfully deliver on Ofsted’s expectations will be rewarded with positive inspections, improving their reputation and raising their profile.
How Can Schools Prepare for the Upcoming Changes?
The first step in getting ready for the upcoming changes is to understand the new inspection framework and how it relates to your school’s approach to personal development. You should study the framework’s details, learn about how Ofsted will apply the revised inspection criteria, and identify areas to develop.
Schools should ensure that their curriculum is comprehensive and includes a range of extra-curricular activities that engage pupils and contribute to their personal development. These activities should be designed to help pupils develop life skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership while also supporting their physical and mental health.
Schools should be prepared to demonstrate how they support pupils’ mental health and well-being by outlining the resources available to pupils and how the school leadership team promotes a positive culture.
Examples of Good Practice
To provide a further understanding of how to prepare for the new inspection regime, here are a few examples of what schools can do to meet the inspection criteria:
– Implement a comprehensive pastoral care programme that includes a dedicated support team, mental health support, awareness campaigns, and wellbeing sessions.
– Provide a range of after-school clubs and activities, including sports teams, music groups, drama clubs, and debating societies.
– Include personal development as an explicit part of the curriculum and take into account the needs and interests of pupils in delivering the programme.
– Introduce regular opportunities for pupils to lead and participate in debates, both formal and informal. These opportunities should encourage listening, negotiation, and consensus building.
– Implement a peer mentoring programme that enables more experienced pupils to support younger students, building relationships within the school and empowering pupils to take responsibility for their own learning.
Conclusion
Ofsted’s new approach to inspections should not be seen as an additional burden but as an opportunity for schools to deliver a more comprehensive, holistic education that prepares pupils for their future lives. Schools should begin preparing for the upcoming changes by studying the inspection framework, implementing more extracurricular programmes, and putting the necessary support structures in place. By doing so, they will be well-positioned to meet the inspection criteria and deliver an excellent all-round education to their students.
