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

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be discontinued effective immediately

This decision comes after consultations 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:

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

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

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that 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, schools will begin issuing report cards that offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and aim to enhance the impact of inspections on promoting advancements, the statement further explained.

The decision was made after discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who died by suicide when her Caversham Primary School in Reading was demoted from "outstanding" to "inadequate" by an Ofsted evaluation due to issues regarding safeguarding.

In 2022, a coroner's investigation 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, and that this reform will aid in removing obstacles to opportunity.

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Speaking on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley show, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's essential for parents to have greater insight into the activities within our schools, as the current system is simply ineffective.

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

The new Labour administration has made reform a key goal, committing to enhance public education quality and to create extra revenue by imposing a tax on private school tuitions.

In today's briefing, 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, specialized teams will be deployed regionally to assist schools that are struggling, focusing on enhancing their areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools are found to be severely lacking, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) explained that this might involve implementing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially leading to a shift to different management.

Earlier, Ms. Phillipson stated, "It is absolutely evident that Ofsted reform is necessary to promote consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating top-level grades represents a significant change and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She noted that simplified grading metrics provide minimal insight for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

"Our report cards aim to give parents a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance."

"The administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and clarity of inspections to foster advancements in education. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news arrives as students make their way back to school this week.

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

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Teaching unions have expressed support for the plans, having advocated for changes for an extended period.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed approval, stating, "We have consistently emphasized that reductive single-word assessments are damaging, and we are gratified that the government has quickly intervened 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 believes they could do even more to debunk the myth that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance our educational system.

"Today's updates mark significant progress, yet without comprehensive reforms to overhaul the fundamentally flawed accountability system, educators and school administrators will still be operating within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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