Major Overhaul: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Ratings in Landmark Education Reform

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be discontinued at once

This modification comes after discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who died by suicide following an Ofsted review.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024 08:47

Single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools have been immediately eliminated, a change that is being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

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

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system, assigning four levels of achievement across the current sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, schools will begin issuing report cards that give parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting advancements, the statement explained.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry. Perry 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's inquest determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, one-word ratings do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They believe the adjustment will aid in removing obstacles to opportunity.

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On Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "Today we are implementing this reform because, in my view, parents require greater insights into the activities within our schools, as the current system is failing."

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving quality in our educational institutions. This is crucial because I am committed to ensuring that every child receives an excellent education and a solid foundation for their future."

The new Labour administration has made reform a key objective, committing to enhance public education quality and secure extra resources by imposing a tax on fees from private schools.

In today's announcement, the government declared its focus on enhancing underperforming schools through improvement initiatives instead of opting for management changes.

Beginning in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be established to collaborate with schools that are struggling, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.

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

The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this might involve mandating an academy order that compels maintained schools to convert into academies, possibly resulting in a change of management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is unmistakably apparent that reforms to Ofsted are necessary to elevate and maintain high standards for every child in all schools."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a pivotal reform and a significant milestone for students, families, and educators."

She also mentioned that single headline grades provide "minimal information for parents and significant consequences for schools."

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

"The administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster betterment in schools. We pledged to bring transformation, and we are now 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 grades will affect state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, while similar measures are anticipated to be implemented in other institutions such as independent schools and colleges subsequently.

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Teaching unions have expressed their support for the plans, which they have been advocating for as necessary reforms for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated, "We have consistently emphasized that simplistic single-word evaluations are detrimental, and we are gratified that the government has acted quickly to eliminate them."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government has made an appropriate choice, yet he suggested they could do more to debunk the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"Today's announcements mark a significant move forward; however, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the core of our failing accountability system, teachers and school leaders will persist in operating within an imperfect system," he stated.

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