Ofsted has announced it will cease issuing one-word assessments on schools with immediate effect, in response to a campaign initiated by the family of head teacher Ruth Perry aimed at reforming the evaluation system.
Mrs. Perry, who led Caversham Primary in Reading, tragically ended her life in January 2023, two months subsequent to an inspection that resulted in the school’s rating being lowered from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’.
A coroner subsequently determined that the inspection had a role in her death, noting that her ‘mental health significantly worsened during and following’ the inspection.
The formal finding came several months after Mrs. Perry’s family directly held Ofsted accountable, describing her as a ‘shadow of her previous self’ in the aftermath of the November 2022 evaluation.
Her passing sparked widespread outrage among educators and others in the education sector, who called for the organization to adopt a new methodology.
This sentiment was echoed in a report from former schools minister Lord Knight last November, which claimed the single-word ratings were ‘inconsistent’ and that the overarching system was ‘not adequate for purpose’.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has revealed that the concise judgements will be substituted with four grades encompassing the sub-categories of educational quality, student behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership & management.
Beginning September next year, a ‘Report Cards’ system will be established to provide a ‘comprehensive and thorough evaluation of school performance’.
Phillipson characterized these grading reforms as ‘transformational’ and a ‘significant milestone for children, parents, and educators’.
She added: ‘Parents deserve a much clearer, broader view of school performance – that’s what our report cards aim to deliver.
‘This administration will enhance inspections into a more effective and transparent mechanism for fostering school improvement. We promised reform, and now we are making it happen.’
The announcement followed consultations with the educational sector and Mrs. Perry’s family, as stated by the Department for Education.
Teachers’ unions have expressed their approval of the decision to eliminate the former system.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, stated: ‘We have consistently asserted that oversimplified one-word evaluations are detrimental, and we are pleased the government has acted swiftly to abolish them.
‘We also appreciate that the government intends to place greater emphasis on assisting schools that require support, rather than resorting to aggressive intervention or impulsive alterations in governance structures.’
Nonetheless, he noted that the union would have preferred the simultaneous elimination of sub-judgements.
The preceding Conservative administration had declared in April that one-word evaluations from Ofsted would continue, claiming that the system provided ‘substantial advantages’.
In response to Labour’s decision, Shadow Education Secretary Damian Hinds referred to the grades as a ‘crucial measure for parents’.
He remarked: ‘While we believe the system could be improved further, abolishing the primary inspection outcome is not in the best interest of students or parents.’
Need assistance?
For emotional support, you can reach the Samaritans 24-hour helpline at 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a local Samaritans branch or access the Samaritans website.
If you are a young individual, or are concerned for a young person, you can also reach out to PAPYRUS, the UK’s Prevention of Young Suicide service.
Their HOPELINE247 operates every day of the year, 24/7. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.
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