Ofsted’s single-word ratings for state schools will be replaced by detailed “report cards” from September next year, despite warnings that this could harm pupils by dumbing down standards. The Mail has more.
From today, all new school inspections will no longer brand them “outstanding”, “good”, “requires improvement” or “inadequate”.
Instead, schools will get ratings for individual sub-categories – and from next year the grading system could be scrapped altogether.
The move has delighted teaching unions, which have campaigned for it but were snubbed by the previous Tory Government. Yesterday, Shadow Education Secretary Damian Hinds said scrapping the “vital” headline inspection outcome “is not in the best interest of pupils or parents”. …
For Ofsted inspections in this academic year, parents will see four grades across the existing sub-categories – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.
It is understood the change will not be applied retrospectively to inspections already undertaken. The Government plans to change the system again for September 2025, replacing the format with a “report card”.
It said this will “provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure inspections are more effective in driving improvement”.
Details of the proposals, which will be subject to consultation, were not announced. But there are fears it could do away with ratings altogether, making it harder to understand. …
Unions have long campaigned for Ofsted reform but it gathered momentum after the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life while waiting for an Ofsted report which had downgraded her school.
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: The scrapping of one-word Ofsted ratings puts feelings above facts, Katharine Birbalsingh, Britain’s ‘strictest headteacher’ and the Head of Michaela Community School, has said. While Ofsted often makes schools “the victims of whimsical, or inexperienced, or tired, or poor inspectors”, removing one-word judgements is a “nod in the wrong direction”.
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