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

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

This modification 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, 8:

The practice of assigning single-word Ofsted ratings to public schools has been discontinued effective immediately, 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 a new grading system, which includes four levels across the current sub-categories: quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, schools will issue report cards that give parents a detailed evaluation of school performance, aimed at enhancing the efficacy of inspections and promoting improvements, the announcement stated.

The decision comes after consultations with educational professionals and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who committed suicide following an Ofsted evaluation that demoted her Caversham Primary School in Reading from "outstanding" to "inadequate" due to issues with safeguarding.

In 2022, a coroner determined that flaws in the inspection system played a role in her passing.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, one-word ratings do not offer a just or precise evaluation of a school's complete performance. The modification aims to dismantle 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 new policy today as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insights into the activities happening in our schools, as the current system is simply ineffective.

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our educational standards. This is crucial because I desire for every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

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

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

Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be deployed to collaborate with schools that are not meeting performance standards, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.

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

The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this might involve mandating an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially under new leadership in certain cases.

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

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant shift and a pivotal event for students, families, and educators."

She also noted 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 offer just that."

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and clarity of inspections to foster betterment in schools. We pledged to make a difference, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news arrives as students make their way back to school this week.

The elimination of single headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar measures to be adopted in settings such as independent schools and colleges subsequently.

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Teaching unions have expressed support for the plans, having advocated for changes for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated: "We have consistently expressed that simple one-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 administration for making a wise choice, yet he suggested that they could do more to dismiss the mistaken belief that turning schools into academies is the sole path to enhancing our education system.

"While today's declarations mark a positive progression, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the defective accountability system, educators and school administrators will persist in operating within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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