Revolution in School Evaluations: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Ratings in Landmark Education Reform

Ofsted's single-word school evaluations to be eliminated at once

This revision 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:

Ofsted's single-word ratings for public schools are being discontinued immediately, a decision celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

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

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system where four levels will be assigned across 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 a detailed review of their performance, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of inspections and promoting improvements, according to the announcement.

The decision was made after consultations 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 related to safeguarding.

In 2022, an inquiry by a coroner determined that flaws in the inspection procedure played a role in her demise.

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

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On the Sky News program "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's crucial for parents to have better insight into what happens inside our schools, since the current system is failing."

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

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

In today's announcement, the government declared its focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, opting not to simply change leadership as a solution.

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

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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 options might involve mandating an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially under new leadership.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly evident that reforms in Ofsted are necessary to ensure consistently high and improving standards for every child in all schools."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a transformative change and a significant milestone for students, families, and educators."

She noted that simplistic headline grades provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

"Our report cards are designed to give parents a more comprehensive and transparent view of school performance."

"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 news breaks as students make their way back to school this week.

The elimination of individual headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar changes to be extended to private schools and colleges subsequently.

Stay updated with the most recent developments both in the UK and internationally by tuning into Sky News.

Teaching unions have expressed their approval for the plans, having advocated for changes for a considerable time.

Paul Whiteman, the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, stated, "We have consistently maintained that straightforward, 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 administration has made a commendable choice, but he suggested they could do more by abandoning the misconception that turning schools into academies is the sole path to enhancing our educational system.

"Today's declarations mark a significant move towards improvement, yet without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the dysfunctional accountability system, educators and school administrators will still be operating within an inherently flawed framework," he stated.

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