Revolutionizing School Assessments: UK Scraps One-Word Ofsted Ratings in Landmark Education Reform

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

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

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Monday, September 2, 2024, 08:

Ofsted's practice of issuing single-word evaluations for public schools has been immediately discontinued, a decision that has been 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, or unsatisfactory.

Starting this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new system where four grades will be assigned within 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 impact of inspections on school improvements, the announcement stated.

The adjustment comes after discussions with educational stakeholders and relatives 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 investigation by a coroner determined that the inspection procedures played a role in causing her death.

The Department for Education stated that simplistic single phrase grades do not offer a just and precise evaluation of a school's overall performance. They believe the adjustment will aid in dismantling obstacles that hinder opportunities.

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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 important for parents to have better insights into what happens in our schools since the current system is simply not effective.

"The risks are too significant, and the approach lacks a clear emphasis on improving the quality of education in our schools. This is crucial because I am committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education and a solid foundation for their future."

The newly elected Labour administration has made reform a key priority, committing to enhance public education while proposing to increase revenue 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 not to switch management as a solution.

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

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In instances where schools are deemed to be performing at the lowest standards, resulting in an inadequate rating, the government will maintain its policy of intervention.

The Department for Education (DfE) mentioned that one option might be to implement an academy order. This would mandate that maintained schools transition to academies, potentially resulting in them coming under new management.

Ms. Phillipson previously 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 generational shift and represents a pivotal moment for students, parents, and educators."

She further mentioned that providing just one overall grade offers minimal insight for parents while having significant consequences for schools.

Parents need a more comprehensive and transparent understanding of school performance, and our report cards are designed to offer just that.

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

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Changes 'might extend beyond current scope'

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

The elimination of standalone headline ratings will be implemented in state schools scheduled for inspection this academic year, and it is anticipated that similar changes will occur in other educational institutions such as independent schools and colleges.

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Teaching unions have expressed support for the plans, which they have been advocating for as a necessary change for some time.

Paul Whiteman, the chief of the National Association of Headteachers, stated: "We have consistently expressed that oversimplified 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 that the new government has made a correct choice but expressed his belief that they should also dispel the myth that turning into an academy is the sole path to achieving necessary enhancements in our schools.

"Today's developments are a positive move forward, yet without comprehensive and fundamental changes to repair 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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