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

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

This amendment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who died by suicide following an Osted review.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Immediate changes are being made to eliminate the use of single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools, a decision that's being celebrated as a significant milestone for children.

Previously, the academic 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 announced that four new grades will be assigned to 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 offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhance the impact of inspections on promoting improvements, the statement noted.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the family 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 related to safeguarding.

In 2022, an inquiry by a coroner determined that the inspection procedures played a role in causing her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase grades do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and the modification will assist in "removing obstacles to opportunity."

Further Details on Bridget Phillipson

Starting next week, free childcare will be accessible for children as young as nine months, though the implementation may face some hurdles.

Education Secretary Issues Warning: Parents Risk Losing Preferred Spots in No-Cost Childcare Programs

Schools to educate students on identifying misinformation and harmful conspiracy theories online following recent unrest

Associated Subjects:

On Sky News’ "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: “We are implementing this change today as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into what is happening in our schools, given that the current system is failing.”

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a precise emphasis on improving our schools' quality. 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 it a key goal to enhance public education quality and to secure extra funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancement strategies for schools that are underperforming, instead of merely shifting their management.

Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement squads will be established 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 are found to be severely lacking, the government will maintain its involvement.

The Department for Education (DfE) noted that this might involve mandating an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially under new administration.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly clear that reforms in Ofsted are necessary to foster 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 additional details on Sky News: Adele plans an extended hiatus from her music career; how a terror organization associated with a plot at a Taylor Swift concert is expanding its reach.

"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant overhaul and a pivotal point for students, families, and educators."

She noted that simplistic overall ratings provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

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

"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 fulfilling that commitment."

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

Proposed changes might be more extensive

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

The policy to eliminate single headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that independent schools and colleges will also adopt this change subsequently.

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

Teaching unions have expressed their 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 oversimplified single-word evaluations are damaging, and we are gratified that the government has acted quickly to eliminate them."

👉 Click here to subscribe to the Sky News Daily podcast for daily 20-minute updates on the major news stories 👈

Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new administration has made a correct choice, yet he suggested they could do more by abandoning the misguided belief that turning schools into academies is the sole way to achieve necessary educational enhancements.

"While today's declarations mark a significant move towards improvement, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the flawed 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

Sky News Bottom Banner

Information on Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites