Ofsted college scores change as new system begins instantly – how they will price

Single-headline Ofsted ratings for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect.

Teachers and parents welcomed a Government announcement to overhaul the watchdog’s system as kids return for the new school year this week. For inspections this academic year schools will be given four grades across existing categories: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

It paves the way for School Report Cards, which will be introduced from September 2025 and will provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing. Previously Ofsted awarded one of four headline grades to schools it inspects: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

Teachers called for the current system to be replaced as they said it creates a toxic environment for staff. There have been growing tensions between Ofsted and schools following the tragic death of primary school headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry took her own life in 2023 while waiting for a Ofsted report to be published that downgraded her school to “inadequate”, the lowest possible rating. An inquest later ruled that the inspection had contributed to her death.

Professor Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, welcomed the announcement, branding single-headline ratings “dangerous and reductive”. “The shame, injustice, and high-stakes consequences of an ‘inadequate’ judgement, together with the rude and intimidating conduct of the inspection itself, were the cause of my sister’s mental deterioration and suicide,” she said.

“Single-word judgements are just the most visible feature of a fundamentally flawed inspection system. “Ofsted’s reign of terror has caused untold harm to headteachers and school staff for too long, with a negative impact on children’s education. We are delighted and relieved that the government has decided to take this important and long-overdue step.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, said: “We have been clear that simplistic one-word judgments are harmful and we are pleased the Government has taken swift action to remove them.” Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza called the removal a “significant step forward in rebuilding trust between Ofsted and the teaching profession”. She said: “For too long, the inspection process has been high stakes and over-simplified, instead of an opportunity to properly reflect the diverse experiences of children’s education and their wellbeing.”

Jason Elsom, chief executive of charity Parentkind, said: “Parents have been very clear that they want to see changes to the way Ofsted reports back after visiting a school and it is welcome to see a clear timetable being set out today for moving towards a report card that will give parents greater clarity of the performance of their children’s school.”

From early 2025 the Government will also introduce regional improvement teams to work with struggling schools. In cases of the most serious concern, the Government will continue to intervene, including by issuing an academy order, which may mean transferring to new management.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents, and teachers. 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.”