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

Immediate cessation of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools

This update comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide followed an Ofsted review.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

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

Before, the academic oversight body assigned one of four ratings to the schools it evaluated: excellent, satisfactory, needs enhancement, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced that four new grades will be assigned to evaluate the existing sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Beginning in September 2025, school report cards will be implemented, offering parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and enhancing the impact of inspections on promoting improvements, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives 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 determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her passing.

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 modification will aid in removing obstacles to opportunity.

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On the topic of education, Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley, stating, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's vital for parents to have better insights into our schools' operations, because the current system is simply not effective."

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our educational standards. That's crucial because I desire every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The newly instated Labour government has prioritized reform, committing to enhance public education quality and increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's announcement, the government declared its commitment to enhancing programs for schools that are underperforming, opting to focus on improvements rather than changing leadership.

Beginning in early 2025, regional enhancement squads 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 found to be severely lacking and would have received an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its involvement.

The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this process might involve mandating a maintained school to convert into an academy, potentially leading to a change in management under certain circumstances.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly clear that we must reform Ofsted to ensure continuously high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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

She noted that simple headline grades provide minimal information for parents while having significant implications for schools.

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

"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to propel advancements in schools. We pledged to bring about reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Proposed changes 'might be more extensive'

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

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

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Teaching unions have embraced the plans, having consistently advocated for changes.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed satisfaction with the government's quick response to their concerns, stating, "We have consistently argued that simplistic single-word assessments are damaging, and we are gratified that the government has acted promptly to eliminate them."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government has made a correct choice, yet he emphasized that they could do more by debunking the myth that transforming into academies is the sole way to achieve the necessary enhancements in 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, educators and school administrators will still operate within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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