Revolution in School Assessments: Ofsted Scraps One-Word Ratings Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Consultation

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

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Effective immediately, the practice of issuing single-word Ofsted evaluations for public schools has been discontinued, a development celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

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

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that four new grades will be introduced, assessing the following areas: quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, school report cards will be rolled out, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, the statement said.

The decision came 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 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, one-dimensional ratings do not offer a just or precise evaluation of a school's entire performance, and that this adjustment will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunity.

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Speaking on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, "Today we are implementing this change as I think it's vital for parents to have greater insights into the activities within our schools, as the current system is simply not effective.

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving quality in our schools. This is crucial because I desire for all our children to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The new Labour government has made it a key goal to enhance public education standards and plans to increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancing the programs of schools that are underperforming, instead of opting to switch their management.

Beginning in early 2025, specialized regional teams will be deployed to collaborate with struggling schools to enhance areas where they are lacking.

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In situations where schools are found to be severely lacking, resulting in an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its involvement.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that one option could be to issue an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially under new management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is abundantly evident that Ofsted needs to be reformed to ensure consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades marks a significant shift and a pivotal point 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 our report cards aim to deliver just that."

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

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Reforms 'might extend beyond current scope'

The news was released as students head back to school this week.

The elimination of individual headline ratings will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that other institutions such as independent schools and colleges will adopt this change subsequently.

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

Paul Whiteman, the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, stated: "We have consistently argued that basic 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, general secretary of NASUWT, praised the new government's choice as appropriate but suggested that they could do more to dispel the myth that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance them.

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

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