Ofsted has released a document that it says dispels the myth that its inspections generate unnecessary workloads in already overburdened schools.

The main focus of the guide, titled Ofsted inspections – clarification for schools, is to provide clarity on "specific practices that are not required" by schools when it comes to inspect lessons.

To begin with, individual lesson plans do not need to be provided by teachers. Ofsted explains that it does not "specify how planning should be set out", nor does it dictate how much detail should be included.

As for grading of lessons, the non-ministerial department of education said that it no longer grades individual lessons, an announcement it made back in August.

Instead, Ofsted now provides teachers with a general level of feedback and assesses schools on quality based on observations of multiple lessons.

In the document, it also clarified misconceptions about the need to see pupil's work. Ofsted said that there is not a "particular frequency or quantity of work" that needs to be demonstrated.

It continued by stating that when its inspectors are carrying out assessments, schools should perform as they normally do. Therefore, there is no need to undertake additional work.

This document, Ofsted explained, should be read alongside the revamped School Inspections Handbook.

Made of two main sections – how schools will be inspected and the evaluation schedule – the guide serves as a comprehensive overview of what is now involved.

Earlier this month, Ofsted launched a major eight-week consultation, which it said set out "some of the most far-reaching reforms to education inspection" in nearly a generation.

"I believe that our new inspections should place emphasis on safeguarding, the breadth of the curriculum in schools, the relevance of courses and training in further education and skills, and the quality of early learning," Sir Michael Wilshaw, chief inspector of Ofsted, said at the time.

"Only then will we be able to make sure that all children and learners are properly safeguarded and prepared for life in the modern world."