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MPs call for Ofsted to end single-word inspection judgements

MPs have called for a review into Ofsted’s single-word inspection judgements for schools, such as 'requires improvement' or 'outstanding', in a wide-ranging report by the Education Select Committee on the role of the inspectorate in schools.
The MPs' report notes concerns around the stress and anxiety experienced by school staff due to the ‘high-stakes’ nature of Ofsted inspections PHOTO Adobe Stock
The MPs' report notes concerns around the stress and anxiety experienced by school staff due to the ‘high-stakes’ nature of Ofsted inspections PHOTO Adobe Stock

It is one of a series of recommendations made following the inquiry, which finished just weeks after the conclusion of the inquest into the death of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry, and the start of Sir Martyn Oliver’s term as Ofsted chief inspector, who is leading the response.

Responding to concerns that inspections were not long enough to give an accurate picture of a school, the report recommends they should be more in-depth and take longer but take place less frequently.

It suggests they take place every five to six years for 'good' and 'outstanding' schools, and three to four years for schools judged 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate'. 

The committee said it expected regular updates from Ofsted on how it is responding to the seven areas of concern set out in the coroner’s regulation 28 report, and for the chief inspector to report to the committee on a six-monthly basis on progress in addressing these significant concerns, and its report’s recommendations.

The report notes concerns around the stress and anxiety experienced by school staff due to the ‘high-stakes’ nature of Ofsted inspections.

It highlights the policy of compulsory academy orders, criticisms of how inspections are carried out and reported, the workload they generate, and the complaints system. 

However, it also says that there is widespread agreement on the importance of an accountability system and the role of an independent inspectorate.

The committee heard that relations between Ofsted and the school sector have become extremely strained and that trust in the inspectorate is worryingly low.

The appointment of the new chief inspector provides a crucial opportunity to reset and restore trust, it said.

The committee heard concerns that single-word judgements can be seen as reductive or simplistic. It recommends that the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted should, as a priority, develop an alternative to the single-word judgements that better captures the complex nature of a school’s performance, and ensure that these changes interact effectively with Department policies.

Education committee chair Robin Walker MP said, ‘Ofsted and ministers should heed the widespread calls for change. We urge the new HMCI [His Majesty’s Chief Inspector] and government to consider a more nuanced system that can provide value to both schools and parents, and as a first step we encourage the inspectorate, Department and schools to make more use of the multiple judgements already included in reports.

‘We also heard of the sheer pressure that Ofsted inspections can exert on headteachers, some of whom fear losing their jobs due to ramifications of receiving a negative judgement. The Department needs to review policy decisions which add to this “high stakes” perception and ensure there is a clearer support offer for schools in need of improvement.’

In doing so they should examine alternative systems used inside and outside of the UK, the report said.

As a first step the committee recommends that Ofsted and DfE’s websites should always show the full list of judgements, not just the overall judgement, and encourage schools to do the same on their websites and published materials. 

The Department for Education said it would look at the committee's proposals carefully.

A spokesperson said, 'Ofsted’s overall judgment succinctly summarises inspection findings, which gives parents the confidence in choosing the right school for their child and provides a clear basis for taking action to improve underperforming schools.' 

Education committee chair Robin Walker MP said, ‘Our inquiry looked at the immediate challenges that Sir Martyn Oliver, the new HMCI, will face and the changes that he should seek to implement, after a year of intense scrutiny for the inspectorate. 

‘Clearly there is a need for a rigorous inspection regime. But the bulk of the evidence we received expressed widespread and deep concern about how the system works. We repeatedly heard that Ofsted has lost the trust of a significant chunk of the teaching profession, and leaders. Current and former inspectors suggested the organisation has become overly defensive in recent years.  

‘Changes to inspection practice announced by Ofsted last year were welcome, but more action is required – particularly regarding the areas of concern highlighted by the inquest into Ruth Perry’s death. Ofsted must ensure it continues to listen and reform through 2024.’

Last week, the DfE confirmed that schools that are found to be inadequate solely on safeguarding grounds will receive no further intervention if they can prove the safeguarding issues have been resolved quickly.

Walker added, ‘Though a relatively rare occurrence, the practice of stamping otherwise well-run schools with an “inadequate” judgement due to safeguarding issues – even when said issues could have been quickly rectified – can have devastating, long-lasting consequences for an entire school community. There have already been some welcome steps to address this but we believe further changes may be needed.’ 

Union responses

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said, ‘There is now overwhelming consensus that single-word judgements have had their day and it is positive to see the committee has reached the same conclusion, as well as supporting many of our other recommendations for long-term reform.

‘Inspections are placing intolerable strain on school leaders and staff, compounded by the pressure of high stakes single-word grades which too often do not provide a fair reflection of schools or provide useful information for parents.

‘While the new chief inspector has demonstrated his willingness to listen and openness to change, it’s vital this is now followed by tangible action and far-reaching reform if Ofsted is to regain the trust of schools. 

‘In the meantime, we are urging the inspectorate to adopt a model of ungraded inspections. This should be a precursor to a permanent end to single-word judgements, replaced by a more helpful and informative analysis of a school’s strengths and areas for development.’

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said, ‘The committee's report suggests some important changes but does not grasp the true scale of the problem. Any model of change must begin by understanding the deep crisis that schools are enduring in respect of workload, staffing, attendance and mental health. We don’t see such an understanding reflected in these recommendations. While we recognise the greater transparency they will bring to Ofsted's work, they fall well short of the reform that we need. They will not significantly relieve the pressure on schools.

‘What this report clearly shows is that the relationship between Ofsted and the profession has broken down, and trust is next to non-existent.’ 

Lord Jim Knight, chair of the Beyond Ofsted Inquiry, said, ‘The evidence is clear. Ofsted has lost the trust of the teaching profession. After a year of increasing scrutiny of the inspectorate the Select Committee’s findings add further weight to the call for urgent reform of school inspection.’