Ofsted will never inspect Computing…?�WRONG

• Following the 2019 inspection framework focuses on the breadth and balance of the curriculum,
• This has been a particular concern for Ofsted since COVID-19 caused disruptions to learning.
• Ofsted may be more likely to do deep dives in a school’s less developed curriculums, such as Computing.

Computing became a National Curriculum requirement in 2014. However, a May 2022 review states that it is often a curriculum weakness:

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Primary school teachers unfavourable to the new curriculum described the requirements as being too advanced for the available physical resources and budget, that staff lack the required skill-set and knowledge to teach the subject, and that the language used in the curriculum is overly-technical.

Ofsted found “one of the barriers” to pupils developing knowledge was the belief they are “digital natives” and already experts.

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The report says that pupils should have “sufficient curriculum time” to learn computing knowledge.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-review-series-computing/research-review-series-computing

What have recent Ofsted inspections been saying about Computing?

https://www.watchsted.com/Search Filter: Primary | Computing | 2021-22

4. Connect what you see with what leaders said you would see

The Deep Dive Process

What do you think pupils might say about their learning?

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Can many of them remember what they covered last half term and why?

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What ways can you help them recall this learning?

Implementation

Impact

Intent

Implementation

Impact

How well is the curriculum planned?

How well do teachers plan, teach and asses?

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How well do leaders lead?

How well do pupils achieve?

Interviews with headteacher, subject lead, governors, parents

Plans on the website

Lesson visits

Interviews with staff and pupils

Work scrutinies

Work Scrutinies

Interview with pupils

NOT internal data

What activities will inspectors use to gather their evidence?

Recording pupil’s work is not an extra.

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An inspector may ask to see Pupil’s X, Y and Z’s work before speaking to them.

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Subject Leaders need to be able to provide these promptly.

Work Scrutiny?

Scrutinising Computing can be more challenging for computing given that often the work will be digital.

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The key points for an Ofsted deep dive are that computing leads need to be able to show that:

• the work builds on prior learning
• the pupils’ work shows that a broad range of topics are being learned
• pupils retain knowledge and can talk about their work
• progression is being made
• pupils regularly revisit and practice what they know.

What have recent Ofsted inspections been saying about evidence?

https://www.watchsted.com/Search Filter: Primary | Evidence | 2022-23

• Computing as a subject is composed of three strands: information technology, digital literacy (incl. eSafety) and computer science…a digital book boosts digital literacy.
• We did this a few years ago, feedback from colleagues was that it added significantly to workload, pupils also said it disconnected them from their learning.
• A digital book empowers teachers and pupils to use a range of dynamic content, including photos, videos, audio, spreadsheets, forms, websites, padlets…etc.

So why don’t we use a normal book?

What have Ofsted inspections been saying about where things work well?

https://www.watchsted.com/Search Filter: Primary | Work | 2022-23

• The Computing e-books need to show pupil’s work and their progress.
• This is to help pupils, evidence learning and safeguard ourselves should Ofsted ask.
• Digital books empowers us to use a range of content.
• Working together to upskill ourselves is important.
• Further training is available…

Conclusion