Ofsted drops one-word school ratings

As of now, the use of one or two-word Ofsted ratings such as 'Outstanding', 'Good', 'Requires Improvement', or 'Inadequate' has been discontinued for schools in England.

This change aims to give a more balanced and clearer picture of how schools are doing. Instead of providing a single grade, Ofsted will continue to inspect schools and report on various aspects of their performance, just as they have been doing. These changes come in response to concerns about the stress these overall grades placed on schools and their staff, particularly after the tragic death of head teacher Ruth Perry in 2023.

The decision has sparked much debate. Supporters of the old system believed that quick, simple grades gave parents an easy-to-understand summary of a school's quality.

However, critics, including Perry's family, argued that the system oversimplified the complexity of a school’s performance and put undue pressure on teachers and school leaders. This issue was brought to light after Ruth Perry’s death, leading many to question whether a single grade could truly reflect the nuances of a school.

From SCL's standpoint, this shift is positive. By moving away from simplistic grades, parents and staff will now benefit from more detailed and comprehensive reports on key areas such as teaching quality, student behavior, leadership, and personal development. This approach fosters a more supportive educational environment and ensures that accountability remains high without placing unnecessary stress on school leaders.

Starting in September 2025, parents will have access to a new 'report card' for schools, offering a clearer, more detailed breakdown of inspectors' findings. Until then, Ofsted will continue using its current method of reporting, but without issuing a final overall grade.

This new approach aligns with SCL's values of creating a nurturing and fair environment for both staff and students, and it reflects a necessary step towards improving the wellbeing of educational communities.