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

Immediate discontinuation of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Effective immediately, state schools will no longer receive single-word Ofsted evaluations, a decision that is being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, 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, 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 impact of inspections on fostering improvements, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes 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 2022, a coroner's inquest determined that the inspection procedure played a role in her passing.

The Department for Education stated that simplified, single phrase grades do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They added that this reform would assist in removing obstacles to opportunities.

Further Details on Bridget Phillipson

Starting next week, free childcare for infants as young as nine months will be introduced, though the implementation faces various hurdles.

Education Secretary Cautions Parents Might Not Get Preferred Free Childcare Spots

Kids will learn to identify false information and toxic conspiracy theories on the internet following recent unrest.

Associated Subjects:

Speaking on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley show, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, "Today we are implementing this change as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into what is happening in our schools, as the current system is simply ineffective.

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a precise emphasis on improving standards in our schools. This is crucial because I want every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The new Labour administration has made reform a key priority, promising to enhance public education quality and increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today’s briefing, the government revealed its commitment to enhancing underperforming schools through direct improvement strategies, moving away from its previous focus on altering leadership.

Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be deployed to collaborate with schools that are struggling, aiming to improve areas where they are falling short.

For optimal video playback, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

In situations where schools receive the lowest possible rating, indicating poor performance, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in to address the issues.

The Department for Education mentioned that this could involve implementing an academy order, requiring maintained schools to convert into academies, potentially resulting in a shift to different management.

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

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

Discover further details on Sky News: Adele announces an extended break from her music career. Learn how a terrorist organization connected to a scheme at a Taylor Swift concert is expanding its reach.

"Eliminating headline grades marks a significant generational shift and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She also mentioned that summary grades provide "minimal details for parents and significant consequences for schools."

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

"The administration is committed to transforming inspection into a stronger, clearer mechanism to advance the enhancement of schools. We pledged reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

For an enhanced viewing experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

"Changes might be more extensive"

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

Starting this academic year, state schools scheduled for inspection will no longer receive single headline grades, with plans to extend this change to independent schools and colleges in the future.

Stay informed with the most recent updates from the UK and across the globe by tuning into Sky News.

Educational associations have expressed their approval for the proposals, which they have been advocating for changes to for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction over the government's prompt response to eliminate simplistic single-word assessments, stating, "We have always emphasized that such simplistic judgments are detrimental."

👉 Click here to subscribe to the Sky News Daily podcast – get a 20-minute update on the major stories each day 👈

Dr. Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government made a correct choice, yet he emphasized that there is still opportunity to dispel the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to enhancing our educational institutions.

"While today's declarations mark a significant progress, without comprehensive and fundamental reforms to overhaul the underlying flaws of the failed accountability system, educators and school administrators will still operate within a defective framework," he stated.

Tune into The Politics Hub on Sky News tonight at 7pm.

Associated Subjects

Footer for Sky News

Information About Sky News

Services Offered by Sky News

Channels Provided by Sky

Additional Sky Websites