Government Refuses Requests to Eliminate Single-Word Ofsted Ratings
The Department for Education has responded to concerns raised by school leaders following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
The government has declined calls to eliminate Ofsted’s single-word judgments, citing their “significant benefits.”
The Department for Education (DfE) argued that a grading system without overall effectiveness ratings like “outstanding” or “inadequate” would not offer sufficient information for parents.
Ofsted’s school inspection system operates on a four-point scale with grades like “outstanding,” “good,” “requires improvement,” and “inadequate.”
Inspectors assess the effectiveness of school leadership, quality of teaching, personal development, and outcomes for pupils.
The DfE highlighted that Ofsted grading helps track school progress nationwide and acknowledges teachers’ hard work.
This government response follows an inquiry by the Education Select Committee into Ofsted’s work with schools. The committee recommended exploring alternative school grading approaches used internationally.
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The DfE disclosed that it has increased professional supervision and counseling for school leaders. Nonetheless, it emphasized that eliminating the current grading system would hinder Ofsted’s ability to identify schools in need of support or intervention.
“In our opinion, the priority is to enhance the existing system rather than developing an alternative. This involves exploring with Ofsted how its findings and grades are presented, and opportunities to highlight the underlying details of the summary grade,” stated the department.
Challenging Conversations
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) criticized the single-word grading system as “inhumane” and “unreliable.”
NAHT General Secretary Paul Whiteman expressed concerns about the impact of inspections on members’ mental health and advocated for addressing the issue promptly to prevent further tragedies.
Amanda Spielman highlighted the importance of direct communication in addressing issues to serve the best interests of children, cautioning that avoiding such conversations could harm the children.
The government reiterated that the current grading system is essential for parents and ensures information is presented in a clear and accessible manner.
The DfE encouraged parents to thoroughly read inspection reports beyond the summary judgment of overall effectiveness. The government will collaborate with Ofsted to enhance how findings and grades are communicated to emphasize underlying details.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) expressed disappointment with the government’s response, criticizing the failure to address the fundamental flaws in the grading system.
ASCL General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio argued that single-word judgments hinder school improvement efforts, impact well-being, and do a disservice to children and parents.
“The issue lies in the system itself and not just its presentation; therefore, a fundamental change is necessary,” stated Mr. Di’Iasio.
In response to other recommendations, the government rejected suggestions to reduce inspection frequency and outlined plans for at least one inspection in all schools by the end of the summer term 2025.
