Revamping School Assessments: UK to Scrap One-Word Ofsted Ratings Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Dialogue

Immediate removal of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

This adjustment comes after consultations with educational professionals and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide followed an Ofsted review.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

Ofsted's practice of issuing single-word assessments for public schools has been discontinued effective immediately, a change that is being celebrated as a pivotal occasion for young learners.

Before, the academic oversight body would assign one of four ratings to the schools it reviewed: excellent, satisfactory, needs enhancement, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system that will evaluate four key areas: 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 effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, the statement noted.

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 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 alteration will assist in removing obstacles to opportunities.

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Speaking on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, "Today we are implementing this change as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into the happenings within our schools, as the current system is failing."

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

The new Labour administration has made reform a key objective, committing to improve public education quality 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 alter their leadership.

Beginning in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be established to assist struggling schools in improving their weak points.

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In situations where schools are found to be severely lacking, the government will persist in stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) noted that this could involve mandating an academy order, compelling state schools to transition into academies, potentially under new leadership.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly clear that we must reform Ofsted to ensure continuously high and improving standards for all children in every school."

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

She 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 that's exactly what our report cards aim to offer."

"The administration is committed to transforming inspection into a stronger, clearer force for advancing school enhancement. We pledged reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news was released as students make their way back to school this week.

The elimination of isolated headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that similar changes will also be adopted by independent schools and colleges in due course.

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Teaching unions have expressed their approval of 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 damaging, 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 a commendable choice, yet he suggested they could extend their efforts beyond the belief that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance our educational system.

"Although today's declarations mark a significant move towards improvement, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school administrators will still be operating within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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