One-word Ofsted judgements for state schools are being scrapped with immediate effect, the government has announced today.
They said the reductive single headline grades fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance across a range of areas.
For inspections this academic year, parents will see four grades across the existing sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership & management.
This reform paves the way for the introduction of School Report Cards from September 2025, which will provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure that inspections are more effective in driving improvement.
Recent data shows that reports cards are supported by 77% of parents across the UK.
The government said it will continue to intervene in poorly performing schools to ensure high school standards for children.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “The need for Ofsted reform to drive high and rising standards for all our children in every school is overwhelmingly clear. The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents, and teachers.
“Single headline grades are low information for parents and high stakes for schools. Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing – that’s what our report cards will provide.
“This government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement. We promised change, and now we are delivering.”
Today’s announcement follows work with the sector and family of headteacher Ruth Perry, after a coroner’s inquest found the Ofsted inspection process had contributed to her death.
The government said it will work closely with Ofsted and schools to ensure that the removal of headline grades is implemented smoothly.
So if a schools crap, under performing or perhaps even unsafe… or as is/was “inadequate” we can no longer say so? The death of a headmistress whilst tragic, should have no bearing on this as in the bigger picture the safety, schooling and performance of our schools is paramount if we are to raise our children to take their place later on in society and be, we hope, upstanding citizens. Are now going to sugar cost the descriptions gor fear if once sgsin upsetting acfew at the bodt of the many? What would you replace adequate with”didnt quite do as well as we hoped but hey ho, next year we’ll hopefully be better”…..if I recall so many pupils school reports often stated simply…” must try harder”…if its inadequate then thats it! Dont start softening the blow, again thats a slippery slope. Tell it how it is.
Excuse the spelling..damned prefictive text +Fat fingers
Thit’s alliteration Perci, I havv trubbul speelling too from time too tibe