The government has announced the immediate abolition of single headline grades for schools, in a move aimed at enhancing school standards and improving transparency for parents. This significant reform, unveiled today, marks a pivotal shift in how school performance is assessed, moving away from the reductive single-word judgements that have long been a point of contention among educators and parents alike.
The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, described the change as a “generational reform,” emphasising that single headline grades fail to offer a fair and accurate reflection of a school’s overall performance across various critical areas. Under the new system, parents will now receive detailed grades across four key sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Phillipson stressed that this reform is part of the government’s broader mission to break down barriers to opportunity and to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life. “Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing,” she said. “This government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement. We promised change, and now we are delivering.”
This reform is seen as a precursor to the introduction of School Report Cards, which are scheduled to be implemented from September 2025. These report cards will provide a comprehensive overview of a school’s performance, offering parents a more detailed and transparent insight into how their child’s school is faring. Recent surveys indicate strong support for this approach, with 77% of parents favouring the move.
The decision to scrap single-word judgements comes in the wake of extensive consultations with the education sector and the family of Ruth Perry, a headteacher whose tragic death was linked to the pressures of the Ofsted inspection process. The government has committed to working closely with Ofsted and other stakeholders to ensure that the transition to this new system is smooth and effective.
Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind, welcomed the decision, stating that the new approach strikes the right balance between school accountability and the need for supportive, constructive feedback. “Parents want inspections that help schools improve while giving a clear verdict on the quality of education,” he said. “Today’s announcement is a big step in the right direction.”
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, echoed this sentiment, praising the removal of “simplistic” one-word judgements. He highlighted the importance of a more proportionate and fair system of accountability, which focuses on supporting schools rather than penalising them.
In addition to these changes, the government has also outlined plans to introduce Regional Improvement Teams by early 2025. These teams will work directly with struggling schools to address areas of weakness, aligning with the government’s commitment to raising educational standards across the country.
The government will continue to intervene in schools identified as being of serious concern, including through the issuance of academy orders where necessary. However, the focus will now be on providing support and resources to help schools improve, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
Today’s announcement builds on the recently introduced Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which seeks to place the welfare of children at the heart of the education system, ensuring that every child is supported to achieve their full potential.