Revolution in School Evaluation: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Ratings Amid Calls for Comprehensive Reform

Immediate removal of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

This alteration 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 08:47

The practice of assigning single-word Ofsted ratings to public schools is being discontinued effective immediately, an action that is being celebrated as a pivotal event for young students.

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

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new system where four grades will be assigned within the current sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting in September 2025, school report cards will be rolled out, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the impact of inspections on promoting advancements, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes after discussions with educational representatives 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, an inquest by the coroner determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her passing.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase 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 topic of education, Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," stating, "Today, we are implementing this reform because I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into the activities within our schools, as the current system is failing."

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear 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 reform a key goal, committing to improve public education quality and to increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, instead of simply switching their management.

Beginning in early 2025, specialized teams will be deployed regionally to assist schools that are struggling, focusing on improving areas where they are lacking.

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In instances where schools would have received the lowest possible rating, indicating severe issues, government intervention will persist.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this process might involve granting an academy order that compels traditional state schools to transition into academies, potentially placing them under new administration.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is absolutely 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 represents a transformative change and a significant milestone for students, families, and educators."

She pointed out that summary grades provide minimal details for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

Parents should have access to a clearer and more comprehensive understanding 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 to foster advancements in schools. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news coincides with students heading back to school this week.

The elimination of individual headline ratings will affect state schools scheduled for evaluation this academic year, with plans for similar changes to be implemented in settings such as private schools and colleges in the future.

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Teaching unions have expressed support for the plans, having advocated for changes for a significant amount of time.

Paul Whiteman, the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction with the government's prompt response to their concerns, stating, "We have consistently argued that reductive single-word evaluations are damaging, and we are gratified to see them eliminated."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government has made a correct choice but emphasized that more could be done to dispel the misconception that turning into an academy is the sole method to achieve the necessary enhancements in schools.

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

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