Politics
Revolution in School Ratings: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Grades Following Tragic Catalyst and Sector Consultation
Immediate removal of single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools
This decision was made after discussions with educational professionals and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose suicide was linked to a recent Ofsted review.
Political correspondent @fayebrownSky
Monday, September 2, 2024, at 8
Single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools have been immediately discontinued, a decision that is being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."
Before, the educational oversight body graded schools with one of four ratings following an inspection: outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.
Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system with four levels 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 that offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of inspections and promoting continuous improvement, the announcement stated.
The decision 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 inquest 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 or precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and that the alteration will assist in "breaking down barriers to opportunity".
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Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated on Sky News' Breakfast with Kay Burley show, "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's essential for parents to have better insight into what is happening in our schools, as the current system is failing."
"The risks are too significant, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our educational standards. This is crucial because I desire every child to receive an excellent education and a strong foundation for their future."
The newly elected Labour administration has made reform a key priority, committing to improve public education and increase funding by imposing a tax on fees for private schools.
In today's announcement, the government outlined its focus on enhancing support for schools that are underperforming, opting to boost existing frameworks instead of shifting 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 instances where schools are deemed to be performing inadequately, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.
The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that the process might involve issuing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially under new management in certain cases.
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 overall grades marks a significant shift and a pivotal moment for students, families, and educators."
She also mentioned that single headline grades provide "minimal information for parents and carry significant consequences for schools."
"Parents need a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance, and our report cards aim to deliver just that."
"The administration is committed to enhancing the role of inspections, making them more effective and transparent as a means to foster improvements 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 statement was made as students head back to school this week.
The elimination of standalone headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans to extend this change to other institutions such as independent schools and colleges subsequently.
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Educational associations have expressed support for the proposals, which they have been advocating for changes to for some time.
Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated, "We have consistently expressed that simplistic single-word assessments are damaging, and we are gratified that the government has acted 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 decision, but he emphasizes that it could take additional steps beyond the assumption that turning into an academy is the sole option for achieving the necessary enhancements in our schools.
"Although today's announcements represent a positive move forward, without comprehensive reform to address the fundamental issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within an imperfect system," he stated.
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