This episode focuses on subject and curriculum reviews – or “deep dives” – in the secondary school, asking what they are, how we can conduct them effectively without burdening staff, and what information we can and cannot expect to gather accurately.
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Our expert panel asks what a subject review or deep dive is and looks like and why we need to carry them out – ultimately, what is their purpose?

We discuss how we can best conduct reviews/deep dives in order to ensure that we gather reliable and valid information that helps to inform our improvement planning.

And how can we do this while minimising the amount of stress that deep dives can cause to subject leader sand teachers, not least in terms of workload?

We ask what information we can gather with accuracy and confidence through subject review/deep dives, including the kind of questions we might ask. And, crucially, we ask what information we cannot gather with accuracy and confidence and what approaches we should avoid.

We also discuss the vital role of subject and middle leaders and the kind of CPD a school must have in place to support effective subject review processes.

Ofsted has of course placed subject deep dives at the heart of its Education Inspection Framework, and we touch upon how good practice in this area can stand a school in good stead for when inspectors do call.

This episode is hosted by Matt Bromley. Matt is an education writer and advisor with more than 20 years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as a secondary school headteacher, principal, FE college vice-principal, and MAT director. His guests are: 

  • Clare Duffy is deputy principal (teaching and learning and CPD) at Uppingham Community College in Rutland. Clare has been a teacher for 20 years and has previously been a head of English. Find her previous articles and podcast/webinar appearances for SecEd via www.sec-ed.co.uk/authors/clare-duffy 
  • Paul K Ainsworth has held director of school improvement roles in four multi-academy trusts and currently works with Infinity Academies Trust in Lincolnshire. He has supported leaders of small rural secondary schools to large 11 to 18 urban ones, working intensively with those in Ofsted categories. He is the author of No Silver Bullets: Day-in, day-out school improvement and a TEDx speaker. Find his previous articles and podcast/webinar appearances for SecEd via www.sec-ed.co.uk/authors/paul-k-ainsworth  
  • Matt Tiplin is a former teacher and has been a senior leader in MATs and special needs schools. He is also a former Ofsted inspector. He is now vice-president of ONVU Learning.

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For details about The SecEd Podcast, or to suggest future topics, email editor Pete Henshaw at editor@sec-ed.co.uk