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

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be discontinued at once

This modification comes after discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who tragically died by suicide following an Ofsted review.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

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

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

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

Beginning in September 2025, school report cards will be implemented to give parents a detailed overview of school performance and to enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting improvements, the statement said.

The decision was made after consulting with educational authorities and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry. Perry tragically ended her life following an Ofsted evaluation that demoted 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 ratings do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and that this reform will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunity.

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On the topic 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 a better understanding of what happens inside our schools, since the current system is failing."

"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving the quality of education in our schools. 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 objective, promising to enhance public education quality and secure extra resources by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its commitment to focus on enhancing the programs of schools that are underperforming, moving away from the strategy of changing their leadership.

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

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In situations where schools receive the lowest possible rating, indicating severe inadequacies, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education stated that this could involve mandating a transition for maintained schools to become academies, potentially requiring them to come under new management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It's abundantly evident that Ofsted reform is necessary to ensure continuously high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating top-level grading marks a significant overhaul and a pivotal point for students, families, and educators."

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

"Parents should have access to a more comprehensive and transparent overview of school performance — that’s the purpose of our new report cards."

"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 commitment."

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"Reforms might be extended"

The news was released as students head back to school this week.

The elimination of solitary headline grades will affect state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes to be implemented in settings such as independent schools and colleges subsequently.

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Teaching unions have expressed their support for 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 emphasized that simplistic 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 choice, yet he suggested they could do more to dispel the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"Today's announcements represent a positive move, yet without comprehensive reforms to repair the core of the faulty accountability system, teachers and school leaders are still operating within a flawed framework," he remarked.

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