How does Ofsted assess enrichment?
Image: Land & Wave School Trips
Schools regulator, Ofsted has published a new FAQ explaining how its inspectors look at enrichment under the new inspection framework.
When the new Ofsted Inspection Toolkit comes into use on 7 September, educational visits and other enrichment activities will feature more frequently in inspections.
The new inspection regime introduces a new inspection report card, a new 5-point grading system and a wider range of evaluation areas with a more focused set of core evaluation areas, including personal development and wellbeing – which is where enrichment sits. As part of its assessment, Ofsted now considers schools against the Department for Education’s enrichment framework, which was published in June 2026.
What is Ofsted looking for on enrichment?
To support schools and colleges, Ofsted has added a new section to its online FAQs to explain its approach to enrichment. In its answer, Ofsted confirms that enrichment is considered when assessing how effectively a school or college supports personal development and wellbeing.
In assessing schools, Ofsted “does not prescribe a set number of hours or design of enrichment programmes” however, it does recognise the value of enrichment, stating: “we want to ensure that these opportunities are available for all children and learners”.
Enrichment activities are covered within Ofsted’s inspection framework under:
extra-curricular activities, including educational visits
spiritual, moral, social and cultural education
sporting, artistic and musical opportunities
activities that promote pupils' wider development, character and wellbeing
Ofsted acknowledges that the Department for Education’s Enrichment Framework is non-statutory and confirms that schools and colleges do not need to achieve an ‘expected standard’ as part of its grading criteria.
When does Ofsted start looking at enrichment?
The refreshed school inspection toolkit applies to inspections from 7 September 2026. Enrichment sits under the personal development part of the framework. View the Ofsted Inspection Framework and Toolkit here.
What does Ofsted expect to see on enrichment?
Using the Ofsted Toolkit, inspectors will be looking to see that enrichment is:
“purposeful and varied, having regard to the enrichment framework (where applicable)”.
They will be looking at the opportunities you provide outside of the usual timetable, including educational visits and extra curricular activities.
How can schools and colleges demonstrate enrichment?
(and how does that connect to the Enrichment Framework?)
Inspectors want to see evidence of “purposeful” enrichment including who participated and the outcomes achieved. Benchmarks in the Enrichment Framework suggest that you can evidence engagement and participation through certificates and awards (benchmark 3) as well as registers of attendance e,g. at clubs and on visits. Your MIS system, and visit management systems, such as EVOLVE, will help you demonstrate the breadth of your enrichment offer (benchmark 2) as well as who took part, the purpose of your visits, and outcomes in your evaluations (see benchmark 7).