Collection

Curriculum research reviews

A series of reviews by Ofsted looking at the research evidence currently available about different curriculum subjects.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 12 May 2021
• Last updated: 17 April 2024 — See all updates

We began publishing research reviews in April 2021. Our aim is that the reviews will support and inform those leading the thinking on subject education in our schools.

Subject reports

• Subject report series: religious education
  • 17 April 2024
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: English
  • 5 March 2024
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: music
  • 21 September 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: PE
  • 20 September 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: geography
  • 19 September 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: history
  • 13 July 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: maths
  • 13 July 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Subject report series: science
  • 2 February 2023
  • Research and analysis

Research reviews

Our research reviews will collate currently available research evidence. We will consider what the evidence tells us about a high-quality education in each subject.

• Research review series: art and design
  • 22 February 2023
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: English
  • 15 July 2022
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: computing
  • 16 May 2022
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: PE
  • 18 March 2022
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: history
  • 14 July 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: music
  • 12 July 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: geography
  • 17 June 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: languages
  • 7 June 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: mathematics
  • 25 May 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: religious education
  • 12 May 2021
  • Research and analysis
• Research review series: science
  • 29 April 2021
  • Research and analysis

Principles

• Principles behind Ofsted’s research reviews and subject reports
  • 30 March 2021
  • Research and analysis

News stories

• New Ofsted report finds schools need to add depth to their RE curriculum
  • 17 April 2024
  • Press release
• English ‘fundamental’ to pupils’ educational success
  • 23 May 2022
  • News story
• Computing education essential in technologically diverse world
  • 16 May 2022
  • Press release
• A level playing field – all pupils entitled to high-quality PE
  • 18 March 2022
  • News story
• Building ‘layers of knowledge’ – what makes a great history education?
  • 14 July 2021
  • News story
• Simply ‘doing’ music is not enough
  • 12 July 2021
  • News story
• Ofsted publishes research review on geography
  • 17 June 2021
  • Press release
• Ofsted publishes research review on languages education
  • 7 June 2021
  • News story
• Ofsted publishes research review on mathematics education
  • 25 May 2021
  • Press release
• Ofsted publishes research review on religious education
  • 12 May 2021
  • News story
• Ofsted publishes science research review – the first in a series of subject reviews
  • 29 April 2021
  • News story

Published 12 May 2021
Last updated 17 April 2024 + show all updates

1. 17 April 2024

   Added the religious education subject report and news story.

2. 5 March 2024

   Added the English subject report.

3. 22 February 2023

   Added the art and design research review.

4. 23 May 2022

   Added the English research review and news story.

5. 16 May 2022

   Added the computing review report.

6. 18 March 2022

   Added PE research review.

7. 12 May 2021

   First published.