Ofsted proposes replacing single headline rating with five grades
The Guardian|November 16, 2024
Schools could be judged on a five-step scale of colours or descriptions across 10 separate areas, such as inclusion and belonging, according to proposals by England's schools inspectorate.
Richard Adams
Ofsted proposes replacing single headline rating with five grades

The proposals by Ofsted aim to replace inspection reports that culminate in a single headline grade, such as outstanding, which Labour pledged to scrap after a coroner's report said Ofsted's inspection had contributed to the death of a headteacher, Ruth Perry, last year.

A presentation by Ofsted to education leaders outlining the proposals, first reported by the Financial Times, highlighted the top grade, "exemplary", in purple, followed by "strong practice" in green, "secure" in lime, "attention needed" in yellow and the lowest rating, "causing concern", in red.

The 10 key areas to be graded are: curriculum, teaching, safeguarding, achievement, leadership, behaviour and values, attendance, preparation for next steps, opportunities, and inclusion and belonging.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has argued that pupils' inclusion and belonging need to be given a higher priority in England's schools.

This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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