Revolution in School Ratings: Ofsted Scraps One-Word Judgments Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Engagement

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools will be eliminated with immediate effect. This decision comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the family of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide followed an Ofsted inspection.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools have been immediately discontinued, a change that is being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

In the past, the educational oversight body assigned one of four possible 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 new grades will be introduced to evaluate the existing sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Starting 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, according to the announcement.

The modification comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the family 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 the previous year, a coroner's inquest determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her death.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase ratings do not offer a just or precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They added that this reform would aid in dismantling obstacles to opportunities.

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On Sky News’ “Breakfast with Kay Burley,” Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, “Today, we are implementing this modification as I am convinced that parents require additional insights into the activities within our schools, and the current system is simply ineffective.”

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

The new Labour administration has made reform a key priority, 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 intention to focus on enhancement programs for schools that are underperforming, instead of opting to alter their administrative leadership.

Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be established to assist struggling schools in improving their areas of deficiency.

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In situations where schools are found to be severely lacking, resulting in an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

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

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

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a significant shift and a milestone for students, families, and educators alike."

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

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

"This administration is committed to transforming inspection into a stronger, clearer force for advancing school enhancement. We pledged reform, and we are now fulfilling that promise."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news was released as students head back to school this week.

The elimination of individual headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that independent schools and colleges will also adopt this change 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 decision to eliminate simplistic single-word evaluations, stating, "We have consistently maintained that these simplistic judgments are damaging."

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Dr. Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged that the new government has made a correct choice but suggested that they could do more by abandoning the misconception that transforming into an academy is the sole path to achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.

"While today's declarations represent a positive move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair the underlying issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still operate within a defective system," he stated.

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