Major Overhaul: UK Government Scraps One-Word Ofsted Ratings in Bid to Transform School Assessments

Immediate Removal of Single-Word Ofsted Evaluations for Schools

This update comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide was linked to an Ofsted review.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools have been discontinued effective immediately, a decision celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the academic oversight body assigned one of four ratings to the schools it evaluated: outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that four new grades will be assigned to the current sub-categories, which include quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, school report cards will be implemented, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the efficiency of inspections in promoting progress, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who died by suicide following an Ofsted evaluation that demoted her Caversham Primary School in Reading from "outstanding" to "inadequate" due to issues related to safeguarding.

In 2022, a coroner determined that flaws in the inspection procedures played a role in her passing.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase grades do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They noted that the revision would aid in removing obstacles to opportunities.

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On the "Breakfast with Kay Burley" show on Sky News, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed, "Today we are implementing this adjustment as I am convinced that parents require additional insights into the activities occurring in our schools, and the current system is failing."

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving standards in our schools. This is crucial because I desire for every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The new Labour administration has made reform a key focus, committing to enhance public education quality and increase funds by imposing a tax on tuition fees at private institutions.

In today’s announcement, the government declared its commitment to focusing on enhancement strategies for schools that are underperforming, instead of opting for changes in leadership.

Beginning in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be deployed to collaborate with schools that are struggling, aiming to improve areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools receive the lowest possible rating, indicating severe inadequacies, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) noted that this could involve implementing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a shift to different management.

Ms. Phillipson recently stated, "It is abundantly clear that reforms to Ofsted are necessary to promote consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant change and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She also mentioned that giving schools a single overall grade provides minimal information for parents while having significant consequences for schools.

Parents need a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance, and our report cards aim to deliver exactly that.

"This administration is committed to transforming inspections into a more effective and clearer mechanism for advancing enhancements in schools. We pledged reform, and now we are fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The statement was made as students head back to school this week.

The elimination of individual headline ratings will be implemented in state schools slated for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes to soon affect independent schools and colleges as well.

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Teaching unions have expressed support for the plans, having advocated for changes for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction with the government's quick response to their concerns, stating, "We have consistently argued that simplistic single-word evaluations are damaging, and it's a relief that they have been eliminated."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, commended the new government for their correct choice, but suggested they could do more by abandoning the misconception that turning schools into academies is the sole path to achieving the necessary enhancements in education.

"Although today's declarations mark a significant move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to overhaul the fundamentally flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within an imperfect system," he stated.

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