Headteachers’ leaders have warned against rushing “the biggest change to inspection for decades” but insisted that one-word Ofsted judgements should be scrapped immediately.
James Bowen, assistant general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, has also called on Ofsted and the government to ensure that the introduction of a new system to replace single-word judgements is carried out in full consultation with the schools sector.
Labour has pledged to consult on scrapping one-word Ofsted judgements and moving to a system of scorecards.
And Ofsted is expected to announce its response to its own Big Listen consultation on the future of inspection next month.
In its response to the watchdog’s Big Listen, the NAHT said in May this year that that single-word inspection grades should be halted immediately.
The union said at the time that the Ofsted school inspection regime was “dangerous” and remained a “risk to life” for teachers.This followed a coroner ruling that Ofsted inspection had contributed to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Pressure over Ofsted judgements
Speaking to Tes ahead of the new academic year, Mr Bowen said one-word inspection judgements should be stopped immediately but he cautioned against rushing to create a replacement system or framework.
He reiterated the union’s call for Ofsted to instead move to an interim system whereby it reaches a narrative of findings from a school inspection rather than giving the school a single grade.
“In many ways, changes to how inspection works cannot come soon enough,” Mr Bowen said. “Every week that goes by when we continue to see the use of the current discredited grading system is a week too many, and means harm will continue to be caused.”
Mr Bowen added: “We recognise, however, that desperately needed fundamental reform cannot happen overnight. We have learned from the past that rushed reform can lead to mistakes and unintended consequences.
“With that in mind, from September we would like to see an interim system where Ofsted stops using single-word or -phrase judgements or sub-judgements.”
Mr Bowen said this would give the Department for Education and Ofsted “breathing room” to design a new approach to school accountability and inspection.
“This has the potential to be the biggest change to inspection for decades, and it is essential we get it right,” he added.
Mr Bowen said current legislation would still allow Ofsted to identify “the very small number of schools that would fall with the existing definition of a school causing concern”, but added that there “would be no need to use simplistic and reductive labels such as ‘good’ or ‘requires improvement’”.
Labour announced its plan to scrap single-grades last year, and the pledge was part of its election manifesto before its landslide victory in July.
Mr Bowen said: “The new government has been clear that it intends to remove the current grading structure and develop a new way of inspecting and reporting on schools.
“As we move towards a new system of inspection, it is essential that the profession is involved in the conversations about what that looks like from the very earliest stages. Too often in the past consultation has been insubstantial, occurring only after key decisions have been made, with very little opportunity for meaningful engagement. “
He said he was aware that Ofsted must be mindful of the different stakeholders involved in inspection, including parents, but added: “Given the impact inspection has on schools and school staff, it is essential to secure the confidence of the profession in any new approach, ensuring that any future model is fully thought-through and thoroughly tested before it is rolled out to schools.”
Ofsted declined to comment.
The Department for Education has been approached for comment.
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