News this week that single-phrase Ofsted judgements have been axed with immediate effective has been met with relief and celebration.
However, the school system is now bracing itself for the introduction of School Report Cards from September 2025, consultation over a new inspection framework early next year, and likely reforms from the government’s curriculum and assessment review.
Speaking this week, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “School leaders will understandably be concerned about the timescales and pace of reform and whether the changes go far enough.
“The government confirmed that new accountability report cards will be introduced from September 2025, but Ofsted have said it will only start consultation on a new inspection framework in early 2025.
“This comes at a time when the government is about to launch its review into curriculum and assessment, which includes changes to performance measures in its scope. There is a danger that these reforms will not be joined up, and that a rush to do something different will undermine their effectiveness.
“Ofsted certainly needs reform, and their response sets out a blueprint for what changes we can expect, but we absolutely must avoid replacing one flawed system with another one.”
It comes after the Department for Education confirmed on Monday (September 2) that single headline grades for schools will cause immediately.
For inspections this academic year, schools will see four grades across the existing sub-categories. The introduction of School Report Cards will then take place from September 2025.
And on Tuesday, Ofsted published the outcomes of its Big Listen consultation, which was launched after the inquest into the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry ruled that the inspection of her school had “contributed” to her death.
The inspectorate has pledged a number of reforms:
- A new inspection framework for schools, early years and further education, which it says will have “greater focus on pupil outcomes, alongside a range of measures to reduce anxiety for those being inspected”. Consultation will begin in early 2025.
- Introducing the School Report Card in all areas Ofsted inspects. Ofsted says this will “provide a more nuanced and detailed assessment of providers’ work”.
- Ofsted will announce all routine inspections on a Monday, with inspections taking place over the following two days: “This means leaders will know by Monday afternoon if they are being inspected that week, helping to reduce the stress of waiting.” This new approach will be piloted during the autumn term.
- Increasing Ofsted’s focus and scrutiny on how providers are meeting the needs of vulnerable or disadvantaged students by consulting on a specific focus on inclusion in report cards.
- Pausing the publication of inspection reports when safeguarding concerns are identified in an otherwise high-performing school until inspectors revisit the school within three months: “This will give schools time to remedy issues without intervention from the DfE. Parents will still be informed about the safeguarding issues in the meantime.” This change comes into effect immediately.
- An “Ofsted Academy” will aim to better train inspectors and embed “Ofsted’s values of professionalism, courtesy, empathy and respect across the organisation”.
Ofsted chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, said the reforms would be the “beginning of a new chapter for Ofsted as we reset our priorities, refine our practices and rebuild our relationships”.
He continued: “We want to retain the confidence of the children, parents and carers we work for, and regain the respect of the committed professionals we work with.
“The tragic death of Ruth Perry was a catalyst for this change, but the case for change has been building for years. We recognise the growing challenges facing education and social care, particularly since the pandemic. We don’t want to add to this pressure. Many of the changes we are introducing are aimed at reducing the pressure on those we inspect.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “These are small steps within the existing system, but more fundamental reform is now essential. Change to how inspections are carried out in England is now inevitable and unavoidable.
“We need to work towards a more humane and fair system as quickly as possible. That work cannot be carried out in isolation by the inspectorate. It must be carried out in partnership with the profession, and we stand ready to play our part in building a fairer, more humane inspection system."
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, added: “Ofsted is broken and we need to see it replaced urgently by a system of inspection which is supportive, effective and fair. The removal of over-arching single-word judgements is a step forward, but a small one. It does not amount to root and branch reform.
“Moving towards a report card needs to be done absolutely hand in hand with the profession and in full recognition of the huge pressures on the system – staff expertise and knowledge must be valued. A new evaluation model must lead to a broader vision of what education is for.
“The lack of trust in Ofsted runs deep. It has caused untold damage and misery. Its time is up”.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the need for Ofsted reform was “overwhelmingly clear”.
She continued: “Single headline grades are low information for parents and high-stakes for schools. Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing – that’s what our report cards will provide. This government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement.”
The DfE has also confirmed that from early 2025, the government will introduce Regional Improvement Teams to work with struggling schools to “quickly and directly” address areas of weakness.
The DfE also currently intervenes where a school receives two or more consecutive judgements of “requires improvement”. However, Ms Phillipson has confirmed that, with the exception of schools already due to convert to academies this term, this policy is to change with the DfE now intending to put in place support for these schools from a high-performing school.
- Ofsted: Research and analysis: Ofsted Big Listen: supporting documents, September 2024: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ofsted-big-listen-supporting-documents