How are you evidencing your journey
and meeting Ofsted’s expectations?
Strengthen your evidence base with the only research-based inclusion framework focused on belonging, disadvantage, and a leadership-driven strategy.
The GEC Platform: Addressing Ofsted’s New Areas of Focus –
Section by Section
Ofsted's new proposals place a strong emphasis on inclusion, disadvantage, belonging, and equity, making the forthcoming Ofsted Scorecard a crucial tool for driving positive change across the education sector.
The award-winning, sector-leading GEC Platform, founded by Nic Ponsford, a former teacher, school leader, and current doctoral researcher in inclusion, has been meticulously co-designed over four years in collaboration with universities and hundreds of schools. The result? A powerful, data-driven platform that equips educational leaders with the tools, insights, and real-time data needed to meet and exceed Ofsted's expectations, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all.
Below, we break down how the GEC Platform supports your journey to meet each of these areas effectively, by addressing both quantitative and qualitative elements and the personalised support materials that supports your work and demonstrates what Ofsted is looking for in the new inspection framework.
How the GEC Platform will help you
meet Ofsted’s New Inspection Framework
1. Quality of Education: Ensuring Inclusive Curriculum and Teaching Practices
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Ofsted will be assessing whether all students—particularly those with SEND, disadvantaged students, and those from diverse backgrounds—are able to access a high-quality, inclusive education. The curriculum should reflect the needs of these students and provide opportunities for them to progress.
2. Behaviour and Attitudes: Inclusive behaviour culture, policy and practice
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Ofsted evaluates whether students exhibit positive behaviour and attitudes towards learning, and how well schools promote a sense of belonging, particularly for vulnerable groups, including SEND and disadvantaged students.
3. Personal Development: Promoting Well-being, Equality, and Inclusion
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Ofsted assesses whether schools provide opportunities for students’ personal development, focusing on fostering equality, well-being, and a sense of belonging for all pupils. This includes ensuring that students with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds receive the support they need to flourish.
4. Leadership and Governance: Driving Equity, Inclusion, and Improvement
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Ofsted will evaluate the effectiveness of school leadership in driving inclusion, safeguarding, and equity across the institution. This includes ensuring that policies are designed to support the diverse needs of students, particularly those from disadvantaged and protected groups.
5. Safeguarding: Ensuring All Students Are Safe and Supported
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Safeguarding is a top priority for Ofsted, and they will look closely at how well the school protects vulnerable groups, including SEND and disadvantaged students. Schools must demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding and a culture of safety and inclusivity.
6. Outcomes for Pupils: Improving Academic Achievement for All
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Ofsted will look at the outcomes for disadvantaged and SEND students, ensuring that they are given the same opportunities for progress and achievement as their peers. Schools must demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing barriers to success for these students.
7. Inclusion: Building Positive Cultures for All
What Ofsted Wants to See:
Ofsted highlights the importance of connections between students, teachers, families, and communities. Leaders and staff foster strong relationships with families, local schools, authorities, and partners to ensure optimal attendance. They monitor all aspects of the school’s work to create an environment pupils want to attend, making necessary adjustments to provision. Schools must engage effectively with all stakeholders, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to support improved pupil outcomes.
Download our Section by
Section Breakdown
We’ve mapped out how the GEC Platform aligns with each Ofsted area and supports schools in meeting their new inspection criteria with quantitative and qualitative data.
Driving long term improvement
Driving long term improvement
How the GEC Platform Drives Long-Term Improvement With You
The GEC Platform is not just about meeting Ofsted’s current criteria; it’s a powerful tool for continuous improvement. By providing schools with actionable data that drives evidence-based decision-making, personalised coaching recommendations, and a tailored digital action plan, the platform ensures that every leader has the resources to drive change. In addition, with inbuilt training for all staff and access to the GEC Library—housing best practices and expert insights—the platform supports schools in focusing on inclusion, disadvantage, belonging, and equity. Powered by our ‘Circle,’ the world’s largest collective of education DEI experts, the GEC Platform helps schools create an environment where every student, regardless of background, can thrive.
Let’s Move From Meeting Standards to Setting Them!
Ready to enhance and evidence your inclusion practices and meet Ofsted’s new expectations? Learn more about the GEC Platform today and discover how our data-driven insights can support you in creating a more inclusive, equitable school environment. Together, let’s ensure that every student feels supported, heard, and empowered.
Choose one of the three options and let’s talk:
Our founder, Nic Ponsford, has produced a series of videos that walk you through the features and benefits of our platform.
Book a consultancy session with the team so we can help better understand your context and discuss support.
When you're ready, become a member and we'll help you get started with a Self Assessment.
Don’t just take our word for it.
“Pupil voice, respect, equality, and diversity are at the very core of what makes our school communities thrive. It is this shared belief that makes me proud to work alongside the GEC in their mission to transform ordinary classrooms into spaces that are extraordinarily inclusive. The GEC Platform offers school leaders the tools to demonstrate genuine inclusion and well-being, guiding you from an initial audit through to meaningful collective action, supported by a network of over 400 experts. If you are committed to measuring what truly matters and practising intentional inclusion, consider becoming a GEC Member today.”
Luke Ramsden, GEC Champion and Deputy Headteacher, St Benedict's School, London.
Reviews
See how we’re shaping positive cultures. View our Case studies >
“Working with the GEC has allowed us to challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes, whilst providing our students with a greater understanding of an evolving society we live in.”
Pioneer Secondary Academy
“The data provided by the GEC has been instrumental in informing our action plan for EDIB and identifying what we need need to do in school to facilitate belonging for all stakeholders.”
British International School of Chicago
“This isn’t just another mark to put on your letterhead; this is a springboard to real and ongoing whole-scale organisational change and development”
Discovery Schools Academy Trust
“Approachable team, very supportive and the surveys are thorough - a great way to get a DEI snapshot in a school.”
International School of Lausanne, Switzerland
“The GEC Platform is sensational. The overall findings have been incredibly useful, leading us to consider elements of our approach that we have not thought about before ”
The Duston School
“Nic and Gemma have been amazing - so helpful when I have had questions. They respond quickly and are always supportive - they ensure I don't feel silly for asking.”
Batley Multi Academy Trust
