Revolution in School Assessments: Ofsted Scraps One-Word Ratings After Tragic Catalyst Spurs Policy Overhaul

Immediate end to single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

State schools will no longer receive single-word Ofsted ratings, effective immediately, a decision that has been celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

In the past, the educational oversight body assigned 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 four new grading levels that will apply to 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 the schools' performance, aiming to enhance the impact of inspections on promoting improvements, the announcement stated.

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

In the previous year, an inquiry by the coroner determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her demise.

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 alteration will assist in removing obstacles to opportunity.

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During an interview on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "We are implementing this new policy today as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insights into the activities within our schools, since the current system is simply not effective."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on enhancing the quality of education in our schools. 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 enhance public education quality and increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancement strategies for schools that are underperforming, instead of opting to replace 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 poorly, receiving an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this might involve implementing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially placing them under new management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is absolutely evident that reforms to Ofsted are necessary to ensure consistently 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 also mentioned that single headline grades provide "minimal information for parents and carry significant consequences for schools."

"Parents are entitled to a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance, which is exactly what our report cards aim to deliver."

"The administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster advancements in schools. We have pledged to implement reforms, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The statement was made as students make their way back to school this week.

Single headline grades will be eliminated in state schools undergoing inspections this academic year, and similar changes are anticipated for independent schools and colleges in the future.

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

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, commented: "We have consistently stated 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, expressed approval of the new government's choice, stating it was correct, but emphasized that more could be done. He suggested moving beyond the misconception that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance them.

"While today's declarations mark a significant move towards improvement, it's clear that without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school administrators will still operate within a defective framework," he stated.

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