Revolution in School Evaluation: Ofsted Abandons One-Word Ratings Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Consultation

Single-word Ofsted assessments for schools will be discontinued with immediate effect. This decision comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide was linked to a recent Ofsted evaluation.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, at 8

Effective immediately, single-word Ofsted evaluations for public schools have been discontinued, a decision celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the educational oversight body assigned one of four ratings to schools it evaluated: outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced four new grading categories that will cover 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 aim to make inspections more impactful in promoting enhancements, the statement further explained.

The decision was made after consultations 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, an official investigation determined that flaws in the inspection procedure played a role in her passing.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic one-word ratings do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall effectiveness. They believe the modification will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunities.

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

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a precise emphasis on improving standards 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 it their primary objective to enhance the quality of public education and to secure extra funds by imposing a tax on tuition fees at private institutions.

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

Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be deployed to collaborate with schools that are struggling, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools have been deemed insufficient, the government will maintain its involvement.

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

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It's patently obvious that we need to 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 generational change and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She noted that summary grades provide minimal details for parents while having significant consequences for schools.

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

"The administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections as a means to foster advancements in schools. We pledged to bring reform, and we are now making good on that commitment."

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"Changes Might Extend Beyond Current Proposals"

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

The elimination of standalone headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that other institutions such as independent schools and colleges will adopt this change subsequently.

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

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction with the government's prompt response to eliminate simplistic one-word evaluations, stating, "We have consistently emphasized the damage caused by these simplistic assessments, and we are glad the government 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 debunk the myth that turning schools into academies is the sole path to enhancing our educational system.

"While today's updates mark a positive move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to overhaul the fundamentally flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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