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

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be eliminated at once

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

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 8:

Ofsted's single-word ratings for public schools have been immediately discontinued, a decision celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the academic oversight body assigned one of four grades to the schools it reviewed: outstanding, good, needs improvement, or inadequate.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has declared that four new grades will be implemented across the current 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 and promote betterment, the statement included.

The decision was made after consultations with educational stakeholders and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry. Perry died by suicide following a downgrade of her Caversham Primary School in Reading from "outstanding" to "inadequate" due to issues related to safeguarding, as noted in an Ofsted report.

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 effectiveness. They added that this modification will aid in eliminating obstacles to opportunities.

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Speaking on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced: "Today we are implementing this modification because I think it's crucial that parents have a better understanding of what's happening in our schools, as the current system simply does not suffice.

"The stakes are too high, and there isn't a clear enough emphasis on improving standards in our schools. This is crucial because I desire for 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 improve public education quality and increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In today's briefing, officials stated that the government will focus on enhancing schools that are underperforming by implementing improvement strategies instead of opting to change their leadership.

Starting in early 2025, specialized teams will be deployed to assist struggling schools by focusing on their specific areas of improvement.

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

The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this might involve implementing an academy order, compelling maintained schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a shift to new management in certain cases.

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

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

She further stated that while singular headline grades offer minimal information to parents, they carry significant consequences for schools.

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

"The administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster advancements in schools. We pledged to initiate reforms, and we are now fulfilling that commitment."

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Changes 'might be more extensive'

The news was released as students make their way 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 for similar changes to be rolled out in settings such as independent schools and colleges in the future.

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Teaching unions have expressed their approval of the plans, which they have been advocating for as a necessary reform for some time

Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, expressed, "We've consistently stated that oversimplified single-word evaluations are detrimental, and we're 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 more could be done beyond the belief that turning schools into academies is the sole path to enhancing educational quality.

"While today's announcements represent a positive move forward, without comprehensive and fundamental reforms to correct the underlying issues of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within an imperfect framework," he stated.

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