Politics
Revolution in School Ratings: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Grades in Major Education Reform
Single-word Ofsted evaluations for schools to be eliminated at once
This decision comes after consultations with educational professionals and relatives of headteacher Ruth Perry, who died by suicide following an Ofsted review.
Political correspondent @fayebrownSky
Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:
State schools will no longer receive one-word Ofsted evaluations, a change effective immediately and celebrated as a "significant milestone for children."
Before, the educational oversight body assigned one of four ratings to schools it evaluated: excellent, satisfactory, needs improvement, and unsatisfactory.
Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced four new grades that will be assigned across the current sub-categories, which include quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Beginning in September 2025, schools will start issuing report cards that offer parents a detailed evaluation of school performance and aim to enhance the effectiveness of inspections in promoting progress, the statement further explained.
The adjustment 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 2022, an inquiry by a coroner determined that the inspection procedures played a role in her demise.
The Department for Education stated that simplistic, single phrase grades do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance, and that this reform will aid in overcoming obstacles to opportunity.
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Speaking on Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced, "Today we are implementing this change as I think it's vital for parents to have a clearer insight into the activities happening in our schools, given that our current system is failing."
"The stakes are too high, and it lacks a precise focus on improving our educational standards. This is crucial because I aim 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 and increase funding by imposing a tax on tuition fees at private schools.
In today's announcement, the government declared its intention to focus on enhancing programs at schools that are underperforming, instead of opting to change their leadership.
Starting in early 2025, regional enhancement groups will be deployed to collaborate with schools that are not meeting performance standards, focusing on improving their areas of deficiency.
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In instances where schools receive the lowest possible rating, indicating they are inadequate, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.
The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this might involve granting an academy order, compelling state-run schools to transition into academies, potentially under new leadership in certain cases.
Ms. Phillipson previously stated, "It is abundantly clear 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 pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."
She mentioned that the simplified grading systems provide minimal information for parents while carrying significant consequences for schools.
Parents should have access to a more comprehensive and transparent overview of school performance, which is exactly what our report cards aim to offer.
"This administration is committed to enhancing the effectiveness and transparency of inspections to foster better performance in schools. We pledged to make a difference, 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 solitary headline grades will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, with plans for similar measures to be adopted later in other institutions such as independent schools and colleges.
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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 reductive single-word evaluations 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 correct choice, yet he urged it to do more by debunking the myth that turning into an academy is the sole way to achieve the necessary enhancements in our schools.
"Today's announcements mark a positive move, but without comprehensive reforms to overhaul the fundamentally flawed accountability system, teachers and school leaders will still be operating within an imperfect system," he stated.
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