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Learn our top tricks for preparing for MFL Ofsted Deep Dives

Preparing for an MFL Ofsted Deep Dive can be daunting- whether it’s your first rodeo or you’re a seasoned Ofsted survivor.

This blog is here to ease your nerves and guide you through navigating an MFL deep dive with confidence. Keep reading to discover what inspectors look for and assess during an inspection, our top tips as well as some free resources to help you feel confident for any upcoming inspection.

What is an MFL Ofsted deep dive?

A deep dive is a process that Ofsted inspectors use to gain a deeper understanding of your school’s curriculum.

By closely examining individual subjects, inspectors can gauge your school’s overall quality of education.

What can you expect during an Ofsted deep dive?

  • Reviewing curriculum plans
  • Observing lessons
  • Conversations with subject leads and teachers
  • Engaging with pupils

Let’s know look at these aspects in more detail.

Reviewing Curriculum Plans

Ofsted’s inspectors will usually review your curriculum before a physical inspection and is often discussed with the head teachers or other senior leaders.

They will be primarily focused on your progression and assessment. You can find most commonly asked questions in our toolkit but here are some of the main topic they will focus on:

  • How do you structure a typical MFL lesson?
  • How do pupil’s skills progress through each Key Stage?
  • What impact does your assessment model have on learning?

Lesson Observations

During a deep dive, inspectors will observe at least 1 lesson to see how well your teaching aligns with the curriculum.

To feel prepared, use our subject file preparation checklist to ensure you are fully prepared for the observation.

What key aspects define a strong MFL lesson?

  • Adapted resources- ensure your lesson materials meet the diverse needs of pupils, including SEND and EYFS
  • Curriculum sequencing- your MFL lesson should follow the curriculum to demonstrate the expected knowledge and skill at their level
  • Assessment- what strategies do you implement to assess pupil understanding at the end of the lesson

Conversations with Staff

The inspectors will meet with your MFL subject lead (if your school has one) to gain a deeper understanding of your curriculum.

They will also look beyond the classroom by asking about ongoing CPD initiatives to support high-quality teaching.

Additionally, the inspectors will want to speak to the teachers who delivered the observed lessons to discuss their approach and how it aligns with the curriculum goals.

Talking to Pupils

To assess the effectiveness of your MFL lessons and the curriculum, inspectors will speak with your pupils directly.

They may be asked to recall their learning in the previous year or discuss recent lessons to gauge their understanding and retention. Do they have the skills as outlined in your MFL curriculum?

It will be good practice for you to embed pupil feedback into your weekly lessons. Not only will it help you gauge your student’s understanding but will make you feel more confident during a deep dive.

While it can be challenging and scary preparing for an Ofsted deep dive in MFL, with the right strategies and tools, you can approach it with confidence.

Don’t forget to download our ultimate MFL Ofsted deep dive toolkit to have all the resources you need, in one place!

Download MFL Ofsted Toolkit

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How to prepare for MFL Ofsted deep dive inspections?

Keep these things in mind when preparing for Ofsted Deep Dive in MFL:

  • Ofsted inspections will review your curriculum before the visit- do you focus enough on lesson structure, skill progression and assessment?
  • Inspectors will observe your MFL lessons- how do you align lessons to the curriculum?
  • How do you utilise expert MFL subject specialists to enhance quality of language education?

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