Major Overhaul: UK Scraps One-Word School Ratings, Introduces Detailed Report Cards Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Consultation

Immediate Removal of Single-Word Ofsted Evaluations for Schools

Following discussions with educational stakeholders and the family of headteacher Ruth Perry, who tragically ended her life post an Ofsted review, the decision has been made to discontinue one-word Ofsted ratings for schools.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Ofsted's practice of issuing single-word evaluations for public schools has been immediately discontinued, a change that is being celebrated as a pivotal milestone for children's welfare.

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

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

Starting in September 2025, schools will begin issuing report cards that offer parents a detailed evaluation of the school's performance and aim to enhance the effectiveness 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 lowered her Caversham Primary School in Reading from "outstanding" to "inadequate" due to issues related to safeguarding.

In 2022, a coroner's inquiry determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase ratings do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and that this reform will aid in removing obstacles to opportunities.

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Speaking on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley show, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, "Today, we are implementing this adjustment as I think it's essential for parents to have greater insight into the activities within our schools, since the current system is failing."

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

The new Labour administration has made reform a key priority, pledging to improve public education and increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, instead of opting to change their management.

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

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In situations where schools are deemed severely deficient, warranting an inadequate rating, the government will persist in stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that one option could be to implement an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, a process that might involve shifting to different management in certain cases.

Earlier, Ms. Phillipson stated: "It is abundantly evident that we need to reform Ofsted to ensure consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"The elimination of headline grades marks a significant transformation and a pivotal point for students, families, and educators."

She further noted that simple headline grades provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

"Our report cards aim to give parents a more comprehensive and transparent view of school performance."

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster betterment in schools. We pledged to bring about change, and we are now fulfilling that promise."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news breaks just as students head back to school this week.

The elimination of individual headline grades will affect state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes to be implemented in 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 chief of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed, "We've consistently stated that reductive 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, general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government has made a correct choice, but he emphasized that it could do more to "dispel the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to achieving the enhancements our schools require."

"Although today's announcements mark a significant move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental reforms to repair the underlying issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still operate within a defective framework," he stated.

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