Heavy emphasis on phonics in new Ofsted reports, while need for pupils to “know more and remember more” also features

Inspection reports produced under Ofsted’s new framework are heavily emphasising phonics, while the controversial exhortation that pupils should “know more and remember more” is also featuring.

Education Uncovered looked at all the reports published by the inspectorate yesterday (Monday), and found the distinctiveness of the new framework – which places more emphasis on the curriculum and the word “knowledge”, rather than “skills” – showing through clearly.

The framework was introduced last month, with the first inspection reports on schools produced under it having been published in the past few days.

Phonics mentions in the reports

Woodstock primary academy in Leicester received a “requires improvement” judgement, which was a falling-back from the “good” its predecessor school had recorded in 2013 before academising, with its phonics work criticised.