Revolution in School Ratings: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Grades Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Consultation

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

This adjustment 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, 8:

The practice of assigning single-word Ofsted ratings to public schools has been discontinued effective immediately, a decision that's being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the educational oversight body assigned one of four ratings to the schools it evaluated: outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system where four distinct grades will be assigned within the following sub-categories: 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 effectiveness of inspections in promoting betterment, the statement noted.

The modification 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 with safeguarding.

In 2022, findings from a coroner's inquest indicated that flaws in the inspection process played a role in her

The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase grades do not offer a fair and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They believe that the modification will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunities.

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In a discussion on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "Today, we're implementing this change as I think it's important for parents to have a better understanding of what happens in our schools, and the current system simply isn't effective."

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our educational standards. This is crucial as I want every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."

The new Labour administration has made reform a key objective, promising to improve public education quality and increase funds 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 to improve existing frameworks instead of switching management.

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

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In situations where schools would have received an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this might involve implementing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a shift to new 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 marks a significant shift and a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She mentioned that simplistic overall ratings provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.

"Parents need a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance, and that's exactly what our report cards aim to offer."

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

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news coincides with students heading 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 private schools and colleges will adopt this change subsequently.

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Teaching unions have expressed their approval for the plans, having advocated for changes for an extended period.

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated, "We have consistently emphasized that simplistic 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, General Secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged the new government's correct approach, but emphasized that they should also dispel the myth that turning schools into academies is the sole way to enhance them.

"Today's updates are certainly a move toward improvement, but without comprehensive reform to address the core issues of the failing accountability system, educators and school administrators will still operate within a problematic framework," he stated.

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