.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
Ofsted reports 'focused overly on English and maths over other subjects'
Education regulator Ofsted may be overlooking the importance of a diverse curriculum by putting too much of a focus on English and maths in its inspections.
This is according to a new report from Tes, which has analysed the key findings sections of all existing Ofsted inspection reports and found that maths and English are mentioned much more frequently than any other subjects.
At secondary level, maths was mentioned in 57 per cent of reports and English in 56 per cent, compared to only 21 per cent for science. Sport, meanwhile, was mentioned in a mere eight per cent of reports, with the figures falling further to six per cent for languages, less than five per cent for history, geography and music, and fewer than one per cent for biology, chemistry or physics as individual subjects.
This trend was even more pronounced when considered at primary level, with subjects other than English and maths only seeing a handful of mentions, with science appearing in four per cent of reports, languages and religious education mentioned in three per cent, and history and geography appeared even less frequently.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "It will be interesting to see whether Ofsted starts looking at more subjects. Otherwise, it'll be presiding over a narrowing of the curriculum that I think we're going to look back on and regret bitterly."
Responding to the report, a spokesperson for Ofsted said it will soon be publishing a curriculum review that will in part examine how future inspections can better reflect the full breadth quality of the curriculum on offer, although it noted that a focus on the core skills of maths and English remains important.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£160 - 230 per day
Location free text
Harrow
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Harrow
Description
Secondary SEN Teacher- West LondonLocation: West London (Hillingdon, Ealing, Hounslow, Harrow, Brent) Job Type: Full-Time / Part-Time (Flexible) Salary: £160 – £230 per day (depending on experience an
Reference
SEC SEN Teacher-West
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£120 - 170 per day
Location free text
Harpurhey
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS1 - Year 1
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Primary School Teacher – Year 1 (Full-Time) – Harpurhey Start Date: November Are you a qualified Primary School Teacher looking for a local role that offers flexibility and work-life balance? Would yo
Reference
M9 Y1 T
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South PrimaryAuthor
Manchester South PrimarySalary
£130 - 150 per day
Location free text
County Durham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Durham
Description
Location: County Durham Start Date: ASAP or negotiable Salary: £130 – £150 per day (dependent on experience) Teaching Personnel is working closely with a number of primary schools across County Durham
Reference
odkdls
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£130 - 150 per day
Location free text
Bishop Auckland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Bishop Auckland
Description
Teaching Personnel is looking for a highly effective and reflective classroom practitioner. The successful candidate may be required to lead a subject, dependent on expertise and experience. Candidate
Reference
AB44959
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£110 - 150 per day
Location free text
Wolverhampton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Teacher
Location
Wolverhampton
Description
HLTA / PPA Cover Role – Perfect for ECTs (Early Career Teachers) – October 2025 Start Start Date: October 2025 Job Type: Full-Time / Term Time Only Salary: Competitive – Based on experience and scho
Reference
ECT's BC
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Birmingham PrimaryAuthor
Birmingham PrimarySalary
£130 - 150 per day
Location free text
County Durham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS1 - Year 2
Location
Durham
Description
Location: County Durham Start Date: ASAP or negotiable Salary: £120 – £160 per day (dependent on experience) Teaching Personnel is currently working with a number of welcoming and supportive primary s
Reference
jsndpkwx
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS1 - Year 2
Location
Manchester
Description
Year 2 Teacher – Full-Time Role in Moston (Starting October) Teaching Personnel is proud to be working closely with a welcoming and ambitious primary school in Moston, currently seeking a passionate a
Reference
M40 Y2 T
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South PrimaryAuthor
Manchester South PrimarySalary
£150 - 220 per day
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Hull
Description
Science Teacher – Temporary, Full-Time Location: Hull Pay: £150 – £220 per dayA secondary school in Hull is seeking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Science Teacher on a temporary, full-time b
Reference
Hull Science Teacher
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£89 - 95 per day
Location free text
Blackpool
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Early Years
Location
Blackpool
Description
Early Years Educator (Level 2 or 3) – Join a Caring Pre-School in Blackpool! Are you a qualified and enthusiastic Early Years professional looking to make a meaningful difference in a nurturing envir
Reference
SWEYA853055BP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£90 - 180 per day
Location free text
Hull
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Hull
Description
Job Opportunity: Cover Supervisor (Hull) – Part-Time, TemporaryAre you passionate about education and supporting young people in the classroom? We’re looking for a reliable and enthusiastic Cover Sup
Reference
Hull coversupervisor
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job