Revolution in School Assessments: Ofsted Scraps One-Word Ratings Amid Calls for Comprehensive Reform

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be immediately discontinued

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for public schools are being discontinued immediately, a decision that has been celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Previously, the educational oversight body assigned one of four 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 grades that will be applied to the existing 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 offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance, aiming to enhance the impact of inspections on promoting better standards, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes after discussions 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 inquest determined that flaws in the inspection procedure played a role in her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase grades do not offer a just or precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. The department believes that this change will aid in dismantling obstacles to opportunity.

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On Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it is essential for parents to have better insights into the activities within our schools, because the current system is failing."

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our educational standards. 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 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 focus on enhancing programs at schools that are underperforming, moving away from the strategy of altering their management.

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

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In instances where schools are found to be severely lacking, resulting in an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this might involve mandating an academy order that compels maintained schools to convert into academies, potentially resulting in a shift to new management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is absolutely evident that we need to reform Ofsted to ensure continuously high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a monumental change and a significant milestone for students, families, and educators."

She also mentioned that giving schools a single overall rating provides minimal information for parents but has significant consequences for the schools.

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

"The administration is committed to enhancing the role of inspection, making it a stronger and more open means of fostering progress in schools. We pledged to bring about 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 solitary headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans to extend this change to other institutions such as independent schools and colleges in the future.

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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 oversimplified single-word evaluations are detrimental, and we are gratified that the government has acted quickly to eliminate them."

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NASUWT General Secretary Dr. Patrick Roach acknowledged that the new government has made a correct choice but suggested they could do more by dispelling the myth that turning into an academy is the sole way to enhance our schools.

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

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