Government Abandons Single-Word Ofsted Ratings for Schools
The decision to stop issuing single-word grades for schools by Ofsted came after a coroner’s report linked the inspection process to the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry.
The Department for Education (DfE) announced that Ofsted will no longer provide single-word grades for schools, effective immediately.
The DfE stated in a Monday statement that this change will “boost school standards and increase transparency for parents.”
The department explained, “Reductive single headline grades fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance across a range of areas and are supported by a minority of parents and teachers.”
Instead of the previous single overall judgement, parents will now see separate grades for different areas like quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson called the removal of headline grades a generational reform that will benefit children, parents, and teachers.
During the election, the Labour Party promised to reform Ofsted and eliminate single-word grades. This recent change aims to introduce School Report Cards next year, providing a comprehensive assessment of school performance to parents.
Single-Word Judgements ‘Dangerous’
In response to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, Ofsted has decided to reform its inspection process. Perry’s family agreed that single-word gradings were flawed and contributed to her mental health decline.
