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

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

This modification comes after discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide was linked to an Ofsted review.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

Ofsted's practice of issuing single-word evaluations for public schools is being discontinued right away, a change that has been celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the educational oversight body issued one of four ratings to the schools it evaluated: excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced four new grades that will be applied to 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 to offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting advancements, according to the announcement.

The adjustment comes after discussions with educational authorities 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 related to safeguarding.

In 2022, an inquest by the coroner 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 effectiveness. They noted that this modification will aid in removing obstacles to opportunities.

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Speaking on Sky News' "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 greater insights 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 our schools' quality. This is crucial because my goal is 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, committing to enhance public education quality and to increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, opting to improve existing structures instead of altering their leadership.

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 would have received an inadequate rating, indicating major issues, the government will maintain its involvement.

The Department for Education (DfE) explained that this process might involve mandating an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a change of management.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly evident that reforming Ofsted is essential to promote consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades marks a significant shift and a pivotal event for students, parents, and educators alike."

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

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

"The administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and clarity of inspections to foster advancements in schools. We pledged to implement reforms, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes might be more extensive

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

The elimination of individual overall ratings will be implemented in state schools scheduled for evaluation this academic year, and it is anticipated that private schools and colleges will soon adopt this change as well.

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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 evaluations 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, commended the new government's decision but suggested that they could do even more by dispelling the myth that turning into an academy is the sole way to enhance our schools.

"Although today's declarations mark a significant move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the core of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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