Revolution in School Assessments: One-Word Ofsted Ratings Abolished Amidst Calls for Deeper Reform

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools will be discontinued effective immediately

This decision comes after discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide followed an Ofsted inspection.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

Single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools have been immediately abolished, a decision that has been celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the educational oversight body assigned one of four ratings to schools it evaluated: excellent, satisfactory, needs enhancement, or 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, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, school report cards will be implemented, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the efficacy of inspections to promote improvements, the statement elaborated.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry. Perry tragically ended her life following an Ofsted evaluation that demoted her Caversham Primary School in Reading from "outstanding" to "inadequate" due to issues related to safeguarding.

In a previous year, an inquest by a coroner concluded that the inspection procedure played a role in causing her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, one-dimensional grades do not offer a just or precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and that this adjustment will aid in removing obstacles to opportunity.

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On Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "We are initiating this reform today as I think it's essential for parents to have greater insight into what is happening in our schools, as the current system is simply ineffective.

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving the quality of education in our schools. This is essential because I desire every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The new 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 declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, moving away from strategies that involve altering their management.

Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be established to collaborate with schools that are struggling, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools are deemed to be performing extremely poorly, receiving an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its involvement.

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

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is unmistakably evident 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 marks a significant generational shift and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She also mentioned that single headline grades provide "minimal information for parents but carry significant consequences for schools."

"Our report cards aim to give 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 schools. We pledged to bring about reform, 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.

The elimination of solitary headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes in independent schools and colleges anticipated to occur subsequently.

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Teaching unions have expressed their support for the plans, having advocated for changes for an extended period.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction with the government's prompt decision to eliminate simplistic one-word evaluations, stating, "We have consistently maintained that these simplistic judgments are detrimental."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, stated that although the new administration has made a commendable choice, it should also completely dispel the myth that turning into an academy is the sole way to achieve the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"While today's declarations mark a significant move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental reforms to mend the underlying issues of the failed accountability framework, educators and school administrators will persist in operating within an inherently defective system," he stated.

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