Single-word Ofsted judgements for state schools will be scrapped with immediate effect to be replaced by report cards. The move by the Government is aimed at improving standards and helping parents to better understand schools’ strengths and weaknesses.
Chloe Parish, a senior associate solicitor in Stephensons’ regulatory department provides her reaction to this news:
“In what is being described as a landmark moment, the government has today announced that single-word Ofsted judgements for state schools will be scrapped with immediate effect. Instead, schools will receive a report card, which will provide parents with a comprehensive assessment of the school’s performance. This decision follows the widespread scrutiny of Ofsted’s inspection processes following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.”
“This is certainly a welcome change to the school inspection system, with many arguing that the single-word grading was a dangerous and reductive approach, often ignoring much of the positive work undertaken by schools. However, a question that will certainly be on the minds of many, is whether it will be rolled out to other sectors who have supported such change, including the Early Years sector and the further education and skills sector. It is disappointing that this doesn’t appear to have been addressed by the government at this stage.”
For more information on our work in this space, please visit the Ofsted section
Comments