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

Immediate removal of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

Following discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who tragically ended her life subsequent to an Ofsted review, this alteration has been implemented.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

Immediate discontinuation of single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools marks a significant turning point for students, receiving widespread acclaim.

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

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, new school report cards will be implemented, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, the announcement stated.

The revision comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who died by suicide following a negative 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 assist in removing 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's essential for parents to have greater insights into the activities within our schools, as the current system is failing."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our schools' performance. 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 goal, committing to enhance public education quality and increase funding by imposing a tax on fees from private schools.

In today's announcement, the government declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, moving away from strategies that involve changing leadership.

Beginning in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be established to collaborate with schools that are not meeting performance standards, aiming to improve areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools are found to be severely lacking, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) noted that measures may involve mandating a conversion to academy status for maintained schools, potentially resulting in a shift to different management.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is abundantly evident that reforms to Ofsted are necessary to elevate and consistently improve standards for every child in all schools."

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

She also mentioned that simplified, single-grade evaluations provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

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

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster advancements in education. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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"Changes might be more extensive"

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

The elimination of standalone headline grades will impact state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that independent schools and colleges will also adopt this change.

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Teaching unions have expressed support for 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, expressed approval, stating, "We have consistently argued that simple, 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 an appropriate choice, but he suggested they could extend their efforts beyond the belief that turning into an academy is the sole solution for enhancing our schools.

"Today's updates are a positive move forward, but without comprehensive and foundational reforms to repair the fundamentally flawed accountability system, educators and school administrators will still be operating within a defective framework," he stated.

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