Government abolishes Ofsted inspection headline grades – what does this mean for schools, pupils and parents alike?
As of the 02 September 2024, the newly-elected Labour Government announced their intention to ‘scrap’ 30-year-old single headline Ofsted inspection judgements with immediate effect. But what does this actually mean for the Education sector and why is it a welcome change?
The Current System
Headline Grades:
Grade 1: Outstanding
Grade 2: Good
Grade 3: Requires Improvement
Grade 4: Inadequate
The above ratings are a grading system which we are no doubt familiar with, and can be seen in other sectors such as CQC assessment inspections. Whilst the current system has stood the test of time, this is not to say it necessarily remains the most effective grading system for the ever-evolving Education sector.
A “Landmark School Reform”
The move to abolish the current grading system is an attempt to boost school standards and increase transparency for parents. This is based on the view that oversimplified single headline grades across four categories fails to provide parents with a fair and accurate assessment of the overall school performance across a range of areas.
The Four Categories:
1. Quality of Education
2. Behaviour and Attitudes
3. Personal Development
4. Leadership and Management
The existing system is said to be supported by only a minority of parents and teachers, and so the change forms part of the Prime Minister’s commitment to “improve the life chances of young people across the country” as part of the Government’s “mission to ‘break down barriers to opportunity”.
The change brings an introduction of new School Report Cards (due in September 2025), which will provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing, ensuring that inspections are more effective in driving improvement. Recent data shows that 77% of parents support School Report Cards.
The Government intends to work closely with Ofsted to end single-word judgements and ensure a new system is implemented quickly and smoothly.
Schools Currently Facing Challenges
The Government have maintained an intention to intervene in poorly performing schools to ensure high standards for children. The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has stated that where schools are identified as struggling, the Government will prioritise rapidly getting plans in place to improve the education and experience of the affected children, rather than purely relying on changing schools’ management.
In cases of most serious concern, the government will continue to intervene - such as by issuing an Academy Order, which may mean transferring the school to new management.
Ofsted will continue to identify these schools which would have been graded as ‘inadequate’. Therefore, it remains to be seen how different the new system will be - whether it is just an abolition of outdated labels, or whether we will see a real difference in the quality and detail of the inspection reports.
Changes Going Forward – ‘A Big Step in the Right Direction’?
The Government also intends to introduce ‘Regional Improvement Teams’ in early 2025, the aim being to quickly and directly address areas of weakness. It further pledges to recruit 6,500 new teachers. With the Ofsted system reforms, this appears a key milestone in the Education sector.
The Government currently intervenes where a school receives two or more consecutive judgements of ‘requires improvement’ under the ‘2RI’ policy. This policy will also change (save for schools due to convert to academies). The Government will now implement support for the schools from a high-performing school, helping to drive up standards quickly. We are yet to receive an explanation of how this will look.
Support For The Changes
The Government wants to reform the school system by including the voice of parents in Ofsted inspections. Jason Elsom of Parentkind has said that the Sector will be “constructing a new and sustainable accountability framework” which is said to be “the right balance for schools and parents”. Elsom further stated that parents have been very clear about wanting to see changes in the way Ofsted reports back on its inspections, and so a clear timetable being set out for moving towards a report card that will give parents greater clarity of the performance of their children’s school is welcomed. He emphasised that “we need to make sure we get this right for parents as well as schools”.
Paul Whiteman of the National Association of Headteachers has showed his support, stating that “the scrapping of overarching grades is a welcome interim measure” and that schools “have been clear that simplistic one-word judgments are harmful, and so we are pleased the Government has taken swift action to remove them”. Whilst school leaders recognise the need for accountability, inspection grading must be proportionate and fair, and so leaders “are pleased to see a stronger focus on support for schools, instead of heavy-handed intervention”.
The new changes build upon the recently announced Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which aims to put children at the centre of education and make changes to ensure that every child is supported to achieve and thrive within education.
Need Help To Navigate These Changes?
If you need Education law support or guidance on how the latest changes could impact your school, contact our specialist Employment and Education lawyers today. We're here to help you navigate the changes and implement compliant practices.