Revolution in School Assessments: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Ratings Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Dialogue

Ofsted's single-word school evaluations to be discontinued forthwith

This adjustment 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, 08:

Ofsted's practice of issuing single-word evaluations for public schools has been immediately discontinued, a decision that is being celebrated as a significant milestone for children's education.

Before, the academic 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 introduced, encompassing the areas of quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, schools will begin issuing report cards that offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, according to the announcement.

The adjustment comes 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 flaws in the inspection procedure played a role in her demise.

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

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On the "Breakfast with Kay Burley" show on Sky News, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "Today we are implementing this reform because I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into the activities happening in our schools, as the current system is simply not effective."

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a precise 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 improve public education quality and increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition.

In today's announcement, the government declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, moving away from its previous strategy of altering their management.

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

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In situations where schools are found to be severely lacking and would typically receive the lowest rating, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

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

Earlier, Ms. Phillipson expressed, "It's 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 marks a significant overhaul and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She also mentioned that simplistic headline grades provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

Our report cards will offer parents a more comprehensive and transparent view of school performance.

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster betterment in schools. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now making good on that commitment."

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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 grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes to be made in independent schools and colleges thereafter.

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Teaching unions have expressed their approval of the plans, which they have been advocating for as necessary reforms for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, stated: "We have consistently stated that simple single-word assessments 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, acknowledged that the new government has made a commendable decision, but he emphasized that more could be done to dispel the misconception that turning schools into academies is the sole path to enhancing our education system.

"While today's declarations represent a positive move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the faulty accountability system, educators and school administrators will still be operating within a flawed framework," he stated.

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