Ofsted scraps one-word school judgements in major reform

Ofsted’s one-word judgements for state schools have been immediately scrapped, described as a “landmark moment for children.” Previously, the education watchdog rated schools with one of four marks: outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.

Starting this academic year, schools will receive four grades across existing sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, according to the Department for Education (DfE).

From September 2025, school report cards will be introduced to provide parents with a comprehensive assessment of school performance, aiming to make inspections more effective in driving improvement.

The decision follows consultation with the education sector and the family of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her school in Reading from “outstanding” to “inadequate” over safeguarding issues.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the outstanding headteacher Ruth Perry must never be allowed to be repeated. There must be urgent reform of the Ofsted inspection process and an end to single word judgements. pic.twitter.com/4K7jjVbBwP

— Matt Rodda (@MattRodda) April 26, 2024

Last year, a coroner’s inquest found the inspection process had contributed to her death. The DfE stated that single phrase grades fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance and that the change will help break down barriers to opportunity.

Free childcare for nine-month-olds will be available next week, though the rollout faces challenges. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warned parents might miss out on their first choice of free childcare places.

Children will be taught to spot fake news and conspiracy theories online following recent riots. This forms part of the new Labour government’s mission to raise state education standards and generate additional funding through a tax on private school fees.

The government will focus on improvement plans for struggling schools rather than changing management. From early 2025, regional improvement teams will work with underperforming schools to address weaknesses.

One-word Ofsted judgments are set to be scrapped by the Government – after a coroner’s report listed an inspection as a factor in the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry https://t.co/cwdRo6yzAT

— LBC (@LBC) September 1, 2024

In cases of serious concern, the government will continue to intervene, possibly issuing academy orders to force maintained schools to become academies and potentially transfer management. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasised the need for Ofsted reform to drive high standards in all schools. She described the removal of headline grades as a generational reform, providing parents with a clearer picture of school performance.

The removal of single headline grades will apply to state schools inspected this academic year, with independent schools and colleges expected to follow. Teaching unions welcomed the plans. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, said the move away from simplistic one-word judgments was necessary.

However, NASUWT general secretary Dr. Patrick Roach noted that while the government’s decision is correct, further steps are needed to end the reliance on academy conversion as the sole route for school improvement. He added that without root and branch reform, the accountability system remains flawed.

As pupils return to classrooms this week, the changes mark a significant shift in the evaluation and improvement of school performance.