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

Immediate removal of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

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, 8:

Ofsted's single-word evaluations for public schools are being eliminated immediately, a change that has been celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the educational 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 grades will be assigned within the current sub-categories, which include quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, schools will begin issuing report cards that offer a detailed evaluation of their performance, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of inspections and promoting improvements, according to the announcement.

The decision came after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of Ruth Perry, the principal 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 inquiry determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her demise.

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

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Speaking on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "We are implementing this reform today as I think it's vital for parents to have greater insights into what is happening in our schools, since the current system is failing to do so.

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear emphasis on how we enhance quality in our educational institutions. 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 priority, committing to improve public education and increase funding by taxing fees at private schools.

In today's announcement, the government committed to focusing on enhancing the performance of schools that are underperforming, choosing to invest in development strategies instead of altering their 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 lacking.

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In instances where schools are deemed to be performing poorly, receiving an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) noted that this may involve implementing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a change of management in certain cases.

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

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

She also mentioned that single headline grades provide "minimal information for parents and carry significant consequences for schools".

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

"The administration is committed to enhancing the efficacy and transparency of inspections to foster betterment in schools. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Proposed changes might be more extensive

The statement was made as students head back to school this week.

The elimination of standalone headline grades will be implemented in state schools undergoing inspections this academic year. This change is anticipated to extend to other institutions, including independent schools and colleges, in due course.

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

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Dr. Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government has made a commendable decision, but he believes there is room for more comprehensive action. He suggested it's a misconception that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance them.

"Today's announcements mark a positive move, yet without comprehensive reform to repair the fundamental issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within a defective system," he stated.

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