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

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

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

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

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that four new grades will be assigned within the current sub-categories: 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. This initiative aims to enhance the effectiveness of inspections and foster improvements in schools, the announcement detailed.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the family 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 coroner's inquest determined that the inspection procedure played a role in her demise.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase ratings do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. The department believes that this reform will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunities.

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On the subject of education, Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke to Sky News on the "Breakfast with Kay Burley" show, stating, "Today we are implementing this change as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insights into the activities within our schools, since the current system is failing to deliver effectively."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving quality in our educational institutions. This is crucial as I desire for every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The new Labour administration has prioritized transformation, committing to enhance public education quality and increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancement strategies for underperforming schools instead of opting for changes in leadership.

Beginning in early 2025, specialized teams focused on regional enhancement will be deployed to assist schools that are not meeting performance standards, aiming to improve areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools receive the lowest possible rating, indicating severe issues, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this could involve mandating a transition for maintained schools to convert into academies, potentially under new management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is abundantly clear that we need Ofsted reforms to ensure continuously high and improving standards for every child in all schools."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant shift and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

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

"Parents need a more transparent and comprehensive understanding of school performance, and our report cards aim to deliver just that."

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness 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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Changes 'might be more extensive'

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

The elimination of individual headline ratings will affect state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes to be implemented in independent schools and colleges thereafter.

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Teaching unions have expressed their approval of the plans, having advocated for changes for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated, "We have consistently emphasized that simple, single-word assessments 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 the new government's correct approach but emphasized that more could be done to debunk the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"Today's announcements mark a significant move forward, but without comprehensive reform to address the core issues of the failing accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within a fundamentally flawed system," he stated.

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

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