Revolution in School Ratings: Ofsted Scraps One-Word Judgements Following Tragic Catalyst

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be discontinued right away

This adjustment comes after consultations with educational professionals and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who tragically ended her life following an Ofsted review.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024 08:47

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for public schools are being eliminated effective immediately, a change that has been celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Previously, the educational oversight body issued one of four ratings to schools it evaluated: exceptional, satisfactory, needs enhancement, or insufficient.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system that will evaluate four distinct areas: quality of education, behavior 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, aiming to enhance the efficacy of inspections and promote better improvements, the statement explained.

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's inquiry 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 modification will aid in dismantling obstacles to opportunities.

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Speaking on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "We are implementing this reform today as I think it's vital for parents to have greater insight into the activities within our schools, given that the current system is failing."

"The risks are too significant, and there's not a clear enough emphasis on improving the quality of education in our schools. This is crucial because I want every child to receive an excellent education and have a strong foundation for their future."

The new Labour administration has made reform a key priority, committing to enhance public education quality and to increase funding by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In a statement released today, authorities announced that they will focus on enhancing programs at schools that are underperforming, instead of opting to alter their management.

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 found to be performing extremely poorly, receiving an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of stepping in.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that one option could be to mandate an academy order, compelling state schools to convert into academies, potentially leading to a change in management in certain cases.

Ms. Phillipson previously stated: "It is abundantly evident that reforms to Ofsted are necessary to promote consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant overhaul and a pivotal point for students, parents, and educators."

She pointed out that summary grades provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

"Parents should have access to a more comprehensive and transparent overview of school performance, which is exactly what our report cards aim to deliver."

"This administration is committed to transforming inspections into a more effective and transparent mechanism for enhancing school performance. We pledged reform, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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"Changes might be more extensive"

The statement was made 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 in independent schools and colleges to occur subsequently.

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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, expressed satisfaction with the government's prompt response to their concerns about the detrimental effects of oversimplified single-word evaluations, stating, "We have consistently emphasized that such simplistic judgments are damaging, and we are gratified to see the government act 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, but he emphasized that they could do more to dispel the misconception that turning schools into academies is the sole path to enhancing our educational system.

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

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