Curriculum & Teaching Review
A strong curriculum is the heart of a good school. It decides what children learn, in what order, and how well it…
ExploreWork Scrutiny & Book Looks
Pupils’ books tell the real story of your curriculum. They show what’s actually being taught, how well pupils are learning it, and whether feedback is making a difference. But looking at work well, without it becoming a compliance exercise, is a skill. We carry out honest, expert work scrutiny that tells you what your books really show.
Below, we explain what a work scrutiny involves, and how it helps you see the impact of your curriculum and teaching.
What Is Work Scrutiny & Book Looks?
It’s an independent look at pupils’ work over time, across classes, subjects, and pupil groups. We sample deliberately, talk to pupils and teachers, and triangulate what we find with your curriculum plans, so we understand not just what’s in the books but what it means.
We look at learning and the impact of the curriculum, not just presentation or whether boxes are ticked. You get an honest picture of how well pupils are learning what you intend.
Who Is It For?
It’s designed for all education settings: maintained schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts, Alternative Provisions, and SEND Units/Hubs. Headteachers, curriculum leaders, and subject leaders use it to check the impact of teaching and the curriculum, and to develop staff.
Many schools ask for it to prepare for a deep dive, check consistency across classes, or evaluate the impact of a new curriculum or approach.
We're here for youNot sure whether this is what you need? Talk it through with us first.
What Does It Cover?
We shape the work around your priorities. You can have a broad review or a tight focus. Our most common areas include:
- Whether work matches your curriculum intent
- Consistency across classes and year groups
- How well pupils build knowledge over time
- The quality and impact of feedback
- Whether pupils respond to and act on feedback
- Progress of different pupil groups (SEND, disadvantaged, EAL)
- Challenge, expectation, and depth of work
- How work triangulates with pupil and teacher voice
How This Helps Your School, Academy, Trust, or Alternative Provision
1
See the real impact of your curriculum
Books show what’s actually happening. We help you see whether your curriculum intent is landing in practice.
2
Check consistency across the school
We look across classes and year groups, so you know where practice is strong and where it drifts.
3
Improve feedback
We check whether feedback is helping pupils improve, so you can strengthen it where it isn’t.
4
Prepare for deep dives
Work scrutiny is central to inspection. We help your leaders be ready and confident.
5
Develop your subject leaders
We can model how to scrutinise work well, building your leaders’ skill and confidence.
6
Check every group is progressing
We look at how different pupil groups are getting on, so no group is quietly falling behind.
7
Avoid compliance theatre
We focus on learning, not presentation, so scrutiny improves teaching rather than creating workload.
Book a quick, friendly callTwenty minutes with Shaun, our Founder and CEO, to explore how we can help you.
How It Works
- 1We agree the focus, subjects, and pupil groups to sample with you.
- 2We select pupils deliberately, across the full range, not just the books nearest the door.
- 3We look at work over time and triangulate it with curriculum plans.
- 4We talk to pupils and teachers to understand the story behind the books.
- 5We gather evidence only, no assumptions, then produce a clear, honest report.
- 6We focus on what matters and give you practical next steps.
What You Get at the End
You receive a clear, practical written report. It includes:
- What your books show is working well
- Where practice is inconsistent or needs developing
- The impact and quality of feedback
- Practical next steps you can act on straight away
Arrange a chatTell us your timescale and we'll tell you honestly whether we can meet it.
Key Features of Our Service
Honest and evidence-based
Every finding is grounded in what the work actually shows.
Triangulated, not isolated
We combine books with pupil and teacher voice for a reliable picture.
Flexible focus
Whole-school, a subject, or a specific pupil group. We adapt to you.
Why Choose Jarvis Education?
We work only with education settings. We know how to read pupils’ work for what it really shows, and how to do it without creating fear or workload. Our scrutiny gives you an honest picture of learning, with every decision staying focused on children.
Want to know how this could help your school? Just get in touch.
Next Steps & How to Get Started
- Speak to one of our experts. We’ll explain how we work, answer your questions, and shape the right approach for your school.
- We agree dates and focus that suit your calendar, in person or online, and confirm everything in writing.
- Contact us today to discuss how we can support your school, academy, trust, and alternative provision.
- We’re ready to help and support you.
Who We Work With
We support settings of every type across England and internationally.
More curriculum, teaching & assessment services
ServiceAssessment & Feedback Policy ReviewIndependent assessment and feedback policy review for schools and trusts. Improve the impact of feedback while cutting marking…ServiceDeep Dive Preparation with LeadersDeep dive preparation for school and trust leaders. Get subject leaders ready to tell their curriculum story and…ServiceSubject Leadership Review & SupportSubject leadership review and support for schools and trusts. Strengthen how each subject is led and prepare leaders…ServiceCurriculum Impact EvaluationIndependent curriculum impact evaluation for schools and trusts. Know whether pupils are really learning and remembering what you…
Ready to make a change?
We are only a message away. Contact us today and find out how we could help your school or trust to excel.
Talk to us about Work Scrutiny & Book Looks
Leave your details and Shaun, our Founder and CEO, will get back to you. No pressure, no obligation, just a friendly chat.
- A response within two working days, guaranteed
- You speak to our Founder and CEO, nobody else
- Initial conversations are always free
Say hello
Just a few details and Shaun will be in touch.
Related services
Subject Deep Dives & Curriculum Reviews
Inspectors look at subjects in depth, and so should you. A well-run deep dive tells you whether your curriculum is as strong…
ExploreAssessment & Data Analysis
Schools are awash with data but often short on insight. The value is not in the spreadsheets; it is in knowing what…
Explore