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

Ofsted's single-word evaluations for schools will be discontinued effective immediately

This revision comes after consultations with educational professionals and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who tragically committed suicide following an Ofsted inspection.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

The practice of assigning single-word Ofsted ratings to state schools has been immediately discontinued, a decision that is being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

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

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

Starting in September 2025, schools will begin issuing report cards that offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and aim to enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, 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, a coroner's inquest 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 and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They believe the adjustment will aid in dismantling obstacles to opportunity.

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In a segment on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into the activities within our schools, because the current system simply does not function effectively."

"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our schools' standards. This is crucial as I desire every child to receive an excellent education and a strong beginning in life."

The new Labour administration has made reform a key priority, committing to improve public education quality and increase funding by implementing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, moving away from strategies that involve altering their administration.

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

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this might involve mandating an academy order that compels maintained schools to transition into an academy, potentially under new leadership in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly clear 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 generational change and a pivotal point for students, parents, and educators."

She noted that simplistic grade summaries provide minimal insight for parents while carrying significant implications for schools.

"Parents need a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance, and that's exactly what our report cards aim to offer."

"This administration is committed to transforming inspections into a more effective and transparent mechanism for enhancing school performance. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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"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 scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans to extend this change to independent schools and colleges subsequently.

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Educational associations have expressed support for the proposed changes, which they have been advocating for an extended period.

Paul Whiteman, the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed his approval, stating: "We've consistently argued that reductive single-word assessments are damaging, and we're 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 administration has made a correct choice, but he suggested that they could do more to dispel the myth that turning schools into academies is the sole way to achieve necessary educational enhancements.

"While today's announcements represent 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 system," he stated.

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