Southport MP Patrick Hurley has backed the decision by the Government to end one word Ofsted judgments for schools, saying they “gave an incorrect picture to parents and staff and needlessly added pressure on an already overly-stretched workforce”.
Single-word Ofsted judgments for state schools will be scrapped with immediate effect to be replaced by report cards aimed at improving standards and helping parents to better understand schools’ strengths and weaknesses.
The four headline ratings currently awarded by the inspections watchdog in England – outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate – will go as part of radical changes announced on Monday by the government.
State schools inspected this year will now be graded on quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership. Independent schools, early years settings, colleges and children’s social care providers will follow.
Patrick Hurley said: “Our new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has done what should have been done years ago, and scrapped the single word grading system.
“Too often under the previous government, schools that could be easily and quickly improved were put into the same category as genuinely failing schools that needed much higher level interventions. Too often, that gave an incorrect picture to parents and staff, and it needlessly added pressure on an already overly-stretched workforce.
“I’m pleased to see that these gradings are being scrapped immediately, and that a more appropriate report card system is being worked up by ministers and Ofsted for implementation in 2025.
“More generally, it’s a thorny topic of how best to manage the tension between allowing headteachers autonomy in running schools and ensuring standards are high across the board.
“This is a good first step towards making sure no child is left behind, and I’ll be looking for it to be followed by further steps focused on children’s wellbeing, mental health support, and achieving excellence in both academic and vocational pathways.
“This is a great start in ensuring our school system is again fit for purpose.”
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