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

Immediate removal of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

This update 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, 08:

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

Before, the educational oversight body assigned one of four ratings to schools it evaluated: excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced four new grades that will be applied to the current sub-categories: quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, new school report cards will be implemented, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the efficiency of inspections in promoting advancements, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, 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 coronial inquest determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic one-word ratings do not offer a just or precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and that this reform will aid in dismantling obstacles to opportunity.

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On the "Breakfast with Kay Burley" show on Sky News, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's important for parents to have better insight into what is happening in our schools, since the current system is failing to do so."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving quality in our educational institutions. This is crucial because 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 objective, committing to improve public education quality and increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government revealed its plans to focus on enhancing schools that are underperforming, moving away from strategies that involve changing their leadership.

Starting in early 2025, specialized regional 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 severely lacking, leading to 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 convert into academies, potentially resulting in a change of management 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 every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades marks a significant overhaul and a pivotal point for students, parents, and educators."

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

"Parents need a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of school performance, which is exactly what our report cards will offer."

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster betterment in schools. We pledged reform, and we are now fulfilling that promise."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

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

Single headline grades will be eliminated for state schools undergoing inspections this academic year. This change is anticipated to extend to other educational institutions such as independent schools and colleges in the near future.

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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 simple, 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, acknowledged that the new government has made a commendable decision, but he suggested they could do more to dispel the misconception that turning into an academy is the sole method for achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"Today's announcements are a positive move, yet without comprehensive reform to overhaul the fundamentally flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within a problematic system," he stated.

Tune into The Politics Hub on Sky News tonight at 7pm.

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