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

Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools will be discontinued effective immediately. This decision comes after consultations with educational stakeholders and the family of headteacher Ruth Perry, who tragically died by suicide following an Ofsted inspection.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Effective immediately, single-word Ofsted ratings for public schools are being eliminated, a decision that's being celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."

Before, the academic oversight body assigned one of four ratings to the schools it evaluated: exceptional, satisfactory, needs enhancement, and unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new grading system that will include four distinct grades. These grades will evaluate the following 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, aimed at enhancing the impact of inspections on promoting improvements, the statement noted.

The adjustment comes after discussions with educational professionals 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 the previous year, it was determined by a coroner's inquest that flaws in the inspection process played a role in

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 the adjustment will aid in overcoming obstacles to opportunity.

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Speaking on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated: "Today, we are implementing this change as I think it's essential for parents to have greater insight into what happens inside our schools, given that the current system is failing."

"The risks are too great, and it lacks a clear emphasis on improving our schools' quality. This is crucial because 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 priority, committing to enhance public education quality while planning to increase funds by imposing a tax on private school tuition fees.

In a statement released today, the government declared its focus on enhancing support for schools that are underperforming, shifting away from strategies that involve changing leadership.

Starting in early 2025, specialized teams will be deployed in various regions to assist schools that are struggling, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.

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In instances where schools receive the lowest possible rating, indicating severe deficiencies, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that this might involve the implementation of an academy order, compelling state schools to transition into academies, potentially resulting in a change of management in certain cases.

Earlier, Ms. Phillipson stated, "It is absolutely apparent that reforms in Ofsted are necessary to ensure consistently high and improving standards for every child in every school."

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"Eliminating headline grades represents a pivotal change and a significant milestone for students, families, and educators."

She also mentioned that single headline grades provide "minimal information for parents and carry significant consequences for schools".

"Parents should have access to a more comprehensive and transparent overview of school performance – this is exactly what our report cards aim to offer."

"The 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 was released as students make their way back to school this week.

The elimination of single headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that independent 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 expressed 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, the general secretary of NASUWT, acknowledged the new government's correct approach, but he suggested that they could extend their efforts beyond the belief that transforming into an academy is the sole option for enhancing our schools.

"Although today's statements mark significant progress, without comprehensive reform to correct the underlying problems of the flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still operate within a defective framework," he stated.

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