Revolution in School Assessments: Ofsted Scraps One-Word Ratings in Landmark Education Reform

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

This adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the family of headteacher Ruth Perry, who committed suicide following an Ofsted inspection.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Effective immediately, the practice of assigning single-word Ofsted ratings to state schools is being eliminated, a change 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: excellent, satisfactory, needs enhancement, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that four new grades will be implemented across the current sub-categories: quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Beginning in September 2025, school report cards will be implemented to offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, the announcement stated.

The decision comes after consultations 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 judicial inquiry determined that the examination procedure played a role in causing her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single-statement ratings do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They believe that this reform will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunities.

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On the "Breakfast with Kay Burley" show on Sky News, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "We are implementing this change today as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into the activities within our schools, since the current system is failing."

"The stakes are too high, and the approach lacks a clear emphasis on improving our schools' quality. This is crucial as I desire for every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for the future."

The recently elected Labour administration has made it a key priority to improve public education and plans to increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

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

Starting in early 2025, specialized teams will be deployed regionally to assist schools that are struggling, focusing on enhancing 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 involvement.

The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this might involve mandating an academy order that compels maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially leading to a change in management in certain cases.

Earlier, Ms. Phillipson remarked, "It is abundantly clear that we must reform Ofsted to ensure consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant overhaul and a pivotal point for students, parents, and educators."

She further noted that single headline grades offer "minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools".

"Parents should have access to a more comprehensive and transparent overview of school performance – that is the purpose of our report cards."

"This administration is committed to transforming inspection into a stronger, clearer mechanism to advance the enhancement of schools. We pledged reform, and now we are making it happen."

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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 individual headline ratings will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection during this academic year, with plans for similar changes in independent schools and colleges anticipated to take place thereafter.

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

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated, "We have consistently emphasized that simple single-word evaluations are detrimental, and we are gratified that the government has quickly intervened to eliminate them."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, commented that although the current administration has made a commendable choice, there is still room for them to completely dispel the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"Today's announcements mark a positive move forward, yet without comprehensive reform to address the fundamental issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still operate within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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