Ofsted's newly appointed chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, has acknowledged the need for the organization to become "far more empathetic" amidst widespread criticism of the existing school inspection framework. Formal consultations are set to commence later this month, addressing the report card system, new framework proposals, and inclusion and safeguarding grading. The current system has been met with significant disapproval, with 72% of school leaders opposing the retention of Ofsted's sub-category grades. This comes after the government announced in September that schools in England would no longer receive headline grades for overall effectiveness.
Previously, Ofsted assigned schools one of four judgments: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. However, confidence in this system has waned. A survey conducted by the National Association of Head Teachers Union (NAHT) revealed that 93% of its members lack confidence in Ofsted's ability to devise an effective new inspection framework. Furthermore, 76% of school leaders agree on the necessity for a completely new framework and methodology, as highlighted by a survey of over 1,500 members from the school leaders' union.
The call for change intensified following the tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life after her school was downgraded by an Ofsted report. This incident has underscored the perceived harshness of the current grading system. Paul Whiteman of the NAHT emphasized the urgency for reform:
"What we cannot accept is a revised version of the existing system." – Paul Whiteman
The dissatisfaction extends beyond grading concerns. The majority of school leaders—76%—find the report card system unacceptable. Sir Martyn Oliver acknowledges this sentiment, stating the importance of maintaining high standards while adopting a more empathetic approach.
Paul Whiteman further articulated the inadequacies of interim measures introduced last year:
"While some of the interim measures taken last year to make inspection more humane have been a step in the right direction, they clearly do not go anywhere near far enough." – Paul Whiteman
The NAHT is advocating for a genuinely new approach that provides parents with the detailed information they need without negatively impacting school staff.
"Now is the moment for a genuinely new approach that gives parents the detailed information they need and addresses the hugely harmful impact inspection currently has on school staff," – Paul Whiteman
