How Will the New Ofsted Ratings Work?
Ofsted, which evaluates schools in England, has officially removed its single-grade judgments following widespread criticism, particularly after the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Previously, schools were rated as “outstanding,” “good,” “requires improvement,” or “inadequate” across multiple performance areas. Starting in 2025, a more comprehensive report card system will replace this, providing parents and stakeholders with deeper insights into areas like the quality of education, pupil behavior, leadership, and safeguarding.
This change addresses concerns that the single-grade system overly simplified school performance and caused unnecessary pressure. From 2024, inspectors will assess specific sub-categories without issuing an overall grade, allowing for a more nuanced evaluation. However, by 2025, a full report card will be introduced after consultations. While this approach aims to offer more detailed feedback, some worry that it might still lead to oversimplified comparisons.
Despite the format change, underperforming schools will continue to face intervention by the Department for Education. Additionally, a pilot project will be introduced, allowing schools with safety concerns to resolve issues before an official judgment is issued.
The inspection process will still include classroom observations, interviews with teachers and students, and parent feedback. Many hope that the new system will reduce stress and create a more supportive environment for school improvement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer supports this shift, stating that it will give parents a “richer picture” of schools’ strengths and areas for improvement. Wales’ inspection body Estyn and inspectors of Church of England schools have already moved away from single-grade judgments, signaling a broader trend in educational reform.