A leading academic has hit out at an admission by Ofsted that no research has been done on the impact of its inspection grades on institutions.

The revelation came in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, which asked “what evidence [Ofsted] hold on the effects of inspection grading on schools, including research evidence of the impact of grades on school performance, pupil attainment or teacher morale”.

In response, Daniel Muijs, the inspectorate’s deputy director for research and evaluation, said: “I can confirm that Ofsted has not conducted any specific research into the effects of inspection grading on schools; consequently, we do not hold any evidence of the impact of grades on school performance, pupil attainment or teacher morale in relation to this specific topic.”

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In depth: Need to know: Ofsted’s new inspection framework

Background: What the new Ofsted inspection framework will look like in FE

‘Responses from parents and staff’

He added: “However, although not specifically about the effects of inspection grading on schools; I can confirm that, as part of our public consultation on our proposed future education inspection framework, we have received responses from parents and staff as part of this proposal. These will be published as part of our wider consultation response in due course.”

Ofsted, led by chief inspector Amanda Spielman (pictured), is currently consulting on its proposed new inspection framework. The consultation closes on Friday.  

Frank Coffield, emeritus professor of education at the UCL Institute of Education, said he was “really surprised that Ofsted know so little about a regime they have been using for over 20 years and that I am saying is doing so much damage”.

He said research should have been done, especially on the impact the inspection regime was having on schools, colleges and staff. The fact that had not been done was “a dereliction of duty”.

Ofsted ‘should drop four-point grade system’

Almost 4,500 people have signed a petition posted by Professor Coffield, which calls on Ofsted to drop its “damaging four-point grades”. “Labelling schools and colleges ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ or ‘inadequate’ is an example of unintelligent accountability,” the petition states.

“We are calling on parents, governors, students, teachers, academics and concerned citizens to sign this petition calling on Ofsted to drop its damaging grades before they do any more damage. Ofsted’s public consultation on its new education inspection framework closes on 5 April, but Ofsted wants its grading scale to be non-negotiable. This is unacceptable if the consultation is to be open and honest.”

In a comment on his petition following the FOI, Mr Coffield said Ofsted’s admission that no research had been done was “all the more reason to ditch these grades”. 

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “Ofsted exists first and foremost to serve the public and to report to them on the state of our schools and colleges. Parents tell us that they strongly support and like the clarity of the four grades in helping them make informed choices, and as a marker of how well their child’s school is performing.”