How Discover VR Supports Schools in Meeting Ofsted Expectations
When schools plan enrichment activities, one question increasingly shapes decision-making - How will this stand up to Ofsted?
Under the Education Inspection Framework (EIF), inspectors are clear that enrichment should not sit outside the curriculum as a one-off experience. Instead, it should strengthen learning, support curriculum intent, and contribute to pupils’ personal development.
At Discover VR, our immersive experiences are designed with those expectations firmly in mind.
Enrichment That Strengthens the Curriculum
Ofsted places strong emphasis on the quality of education, focusing on how well a school’s curriculum is designed, delivered and embedded over time. Inspectors want to see that pupils:
know more,
remember more,
and can do more.
Discover VR experiences are curriculum-linked and teacher-led, meaning they are not delivered as standalone “wow days”. Instead, they are designed to:
deepen understanding of topics already taught in class
support curriculum sequencing
make abstract or complex concepts more concrete through immersive learning
When planned into schemes of work, VR can enhance knowledge retention and conceptual understanding — supporting the intent, implementation and impact of the curriculum.
Supporting Personal Development Through Meaningful Experiences
Ofsted also evaluates how well schools support personal development, including enrichment that builds confidence, curiosity and cultural capital.
Discover VR enables pupils to experience places, environments and scenarios that would otherwise be inaccessible — from historical settings to scientific environments and geographical locations. These experiences help pupils:
broaden their understanding of the world
develop curiosity and engagement
build confidence through inclusive participation
Importantly, this enrichment is educationally purposeful, not simply entertaining.
Inclusive by Design
Inclusion is a key consideration for inspectors, particularly around access to enrichment opportunities.
Discover VR experiences are designed to be accessible and inclusive, allowing all pupils to participate together — including those who may face barriers with traditional educational visits. This supports schools in demonstrating equitable access to enrichment across pupil groups.
Evidence Schools Can Use for Inspection
Ofsted does not inspect external providers directly. Instead, inspectors look at how schools use external provision and the impact it has on learning.
When schools work with Discover VR, they can clearly evidence:
how the experience links to curriculum objectives
how learning is reinforced before and after the session
how pupils’ understanding or engagement has improved
This allows VR experiences to sit confidently within curriculum documentation, subject reviews and inspection conversations.
Enrichment That Counts
Discover VR is not designed as an add-on or reward activity. It is purposeful enrichment that supports:
curriculum intent and implementation
personal development
inclusion and accessibility
evidence-based impact
For schools looking to enrich learning while remaining aligned with Ofsted expectations, Discover VR offers an immersive solution that enhances — rather than distracts from — high-quality education.
Find out more about how Discover VR can support your curriculum at www.discover-vr.co.uk
