Reforms to offer more detailed assessments for parents and schools by 2025.

Ofsted is set to overhaul its school inspection system, replacing the traditional single-phrase headline judgments with a more detailed “report card” system by September 2025. This change follows concerns raised after the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, whose school was downgraded from “outstanding” to “inadequate” after a safeguarding issue, sparking public debate about the fairness of the grading system.

The traditional one-word judgments, such as “outstanding,” “good,” “requires improvement,” and “inadequate,” will be scrapped. Instead, parents will receive a more comprehensive breakdown of various aspects of the school’s performance, including education quality, behaviour, attitudes, and leadership.

New Report Card to Replace Single-Grade Judgments
Starting in 2025, Ofsted will provide a detailed “report card” for each school, offering more transparency and in-depth information for parents. The new approach will allow schools to be assessed on multiple factors, focusing on areas such as inclusion, safeguarding, attendance, and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This shift aims to give a fuller picture of a school’s strengths and areas for improvement.

While some parents may miss the clarity of a simple grade, Ofsted believes the new system will provide more relevant and meaningful insights into how schools operate and meet the needs of their students.

Government Action on Poor Ofsted Reports
Despite the removal of single-phrase judgments, the Government will still intervene when a school is found to be inadequate in any key areas, such as safeguarding. Schools that receive significant concerns in their reports could face forced academisation or changes in leadership. The Government has also committed to continuing its policy of intervening in schools with repeated “requires improvement” ratings, offering support through partnerships with high-performing schools.

Broader Reforms to Improve Inspection Process
In addition to the new report card system, Ofsted will implement several other reforms, including pausing the publication of inspection reports when safeguarding issues are identified in high-performing schools. This pause will give schools more time to address these concerns before a report is made public, preventing unnecessary damage to their reputation.

Furthermore, the watchdog will introduce annual reviews on safeguarding, attendance, and off-rolling practices, ensuring these critical areas are continuously monitored. Ofsted also plans to announce inspections on Mondays, with visits taking place over the next two days, to reduce uncertainty and stress for schools.

Plans for Other Education Sectors
The changes will not only apply to schools but also to early years settings and further education institutions. Ofsted aims to eliminate single-phrase headline judgments in these sectors by 2025, aligning with the new inspection approach for schools. The new frameworks will focus on improving pupil outcomes and maintaining high standards across all education settings.

These reforms mark a significant shift in the way Ofsted assesses and reports on schools, aiming to provide a clearer, more detailed, and fairer system for parents, educators, and students alike.