What curriculum documentation do we actually need for Ofsted?

Q: What curriculum documentation do we actually need for Ofsted?

You need a curriculum intent rationale, whole-school overview, subject curriculum maps, medium-term plans, a simple assessment approach, and evidence of implementation from normal practice. Don't create extra paperwork just for Ofsted — use what you already have in school.

Under the Education Inspection Framework for use from November 2025, the key principle is still don’t create paperwork for Ofsted. Inspectors shouldn’t be asking for documents that exist purely for inspection — they want to understand your curriculum through paperwork you normally use in school.

What curriculum documentation you actually need (practical minimum)

Think “small set of high-clarity documents”:

Curriculum intent (your rationale)

A short statement (often 1–2 pages) explaining:

What you want pupils to know and be able to do
Why you’ve chosen your curriculum approach (including any bought-in programmes)
How it meets your context (cohort, community, SEND, EAL, etc.)

A whole-school curriculum overview / long-term plan

What is taught when (by year group/phase), across the year.

Subject curriculum maps (or equivalent)

Enough to show:

Coverage of the National Curriculum
Progression/sequence (how knowledge/skills build over time)
Where key content is taught (especially for foundation subjects)

Medium-term plans / unit overviews

The “working documents” staff use day to day (including bought-in unit plans).

Assessment approach (keep it simple)

A short explanation of:

What you assess and why
How teachers check what pupils know/remember
How assessment informs next teaching

You don’t need huge data packs; clarity matters more.

Evidence of implementation and impact (from normal practice)

Not a “folder for Ofsted” — just what you already have, such as:

Examples of pupils’ work over time
Subject leader monitoring notes (light-touch)
CPD/training records linked to curriculum delivery
Notes from pupil discussions about what they’ve learned (if you do them)

What you generally don’t need

Extra “Ofsted-only” documents
Over-detailed lesson-by-lesson paperwork
Massive tracking spreadsheets for every foundation subject (unless it’s genuinely how you run things)

How this applies if you use a bought-in curriculum (like LMTW)

You’ll be strongest if you can show:

What you adopted (the programme’s plans/maps)
What you adapted (local context, cohort needs)
How leaders know it’s working (monitoring + pupil learning evidence)

See How Dimensions Will Work in Your School

Every school is different. That’s why we offer short, no-pressure walkthroughs, providing a chance to explore the themes, resources and structure, and talk through what matters most to your setting.