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

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

This adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide followed an Ofsted review.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, at 8

Immediate discontinuation of single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools marks a significant turning point, celebrated as a "historic moment for children."

Previously, the academic oversight body assigned one of four ratings to the schools it reviewed: excellent, satisfactory, needs enhancement, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system that will assign four levels of achievement in the following sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

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

The decision was made after discussions 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 with safeguarding.

In 2022, a coroner determined that shortcomings in the inspection procedures played a role in her passing.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase grades do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They believe the adjustment will aid in overcoming obstacles to opportunities.

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On the Topic of Education:

During an interview on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "Today, we are implementing changes as I am convinced that parents require additional insights into the activities within our schools, given that the current system is failing."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving quality in our educational institutions. This is crucial as 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, promising to improve public education quality and increase funding by taxing fees at private schools.

In today's announcement, the government declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, opting for this approach over management changes.

Starting in early 2025, specialized teams will be deployed to assist schools that are struggling, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools are found to be significantly underperforming, to the point of being deemed inadequate, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

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

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is abundantly evident that reforms to Ofsted are necessary 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, families, and educators."

She also mentioned that using just one overarching grade provides minimal details for parents while having significant consequences for schools.

"Parents should have access to a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of school performance, which is exactly what our report cards aim to offer."

"This administration is committed to transforming inspection into a stronger, more open mechanism to advance school enhancement. We pledged reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

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

The elimination of individual headline ratings will affect state schools scheduled for evaluations this academic year, with plans for similar implementations in other institutions such as private schools and colleges anticipated to occur subsequently.

Stay updated on the most recent developments both in the UK and internationally by tuning into Sky News.

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

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated: "We have consistently stated that simplistic single-word evaluations are detrimental, 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, commended the new government for their decision, but suggested they could do more by abandoning the mistaken belief that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance our educational system.

"Although today's declarations mark significant progress, 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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