Major Overhaul: UK to Scrap One-Word Ofsted Ratings Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Consultation

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

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

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 celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the academic oversight body assigned one of four ratings to evaluated schools: excellent, satisfactory, needs betterment, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system that will assess four distinct areas: quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

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

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

In 2022, an inquiry by a coroner determined that 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, and that this reform will aid in removing obstacles to opportunities.

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On Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's important for parents to have more insight into what is happening in our schools, because the current system is simply not effective."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving quality in our educational institutions. 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 priority, promising to improve public education and increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In the announcement made today, the government declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, moving away from its previous approach of altering their management.

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

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In situations where schools are deemed to be performing extremely poorly, receiving an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this might involve granting an academy order, compelling state schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a change of management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is absolutely evident that reforms in Ofsted are necessary to ensure 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, families, and educators."

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

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

"This administration is committed to transforming inspections into a more effective and transparent mechanism for enhancing school performance. We pledged to bring about reform, 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 standalone headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans to extend this to other institutions such as independent schools and colleges in the future.

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

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction with the government's prompt response, stating, "We have consistently argued that one-word judgments are detrimental, and we are gratified to see them eliminated."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged the government's correct approach but suggested that more could be done beyond merely promoting academy conversion as the sole method for enhancing school performance.

"Although today's declarations mark significant progress, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to mend the underlying issues of the flawed accountability system, educators and school administrators will still operate within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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