Ofsted training materials, getting into the detail of cognitive load theory, draw scepticism

Training materials produced by Ofsted, apparently to inculcate its inspectors in the detail of a leading theory as to how individuals learn, have been described as “an unpredecented departure from historical norms”.

A section of a presentation given to inspectors across England, seen by Education Uncovered, includes nine bullet points which make seemingly unequivocal statements about what learning is. They seem to draw heavily on the much-discussed cognitive load theory.

Ofsted has defended its embracing of the theory, developed in the late 1980s by the Australian educational psychologist John Sweller. However, asked whether the evidence in support of it was undisputed, it did not answer the question directly, but instead pointed me towards a blog in which this was discussed.

What the materials say

The one-page information sheet for inspectors which I’ve seen, which Ofsted has confirmed featured at training events across England, is headlined: “Previous key conference messages”.