Dorset headteachers welcome change in Ofsted grading system

Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four headline grades to schools it inspects: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

It will be replaced by 'report cards' aimed at improving standards with sections given individual ratings.

The announcement follows engagement with the sector and family of headteacher Ruth Perry, after a coroner’s inquest found the Ofsted inspection process had contributed to her death.

Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, “outstanding”, to its lowest rating, “inadequate”, over safeguarding concerns.

Caroline Wood, headteacher of Southill Primary School in Weymouth, said: "I welcome the changes.

Caroline Wood, Southill Primary School headteacher (Image: Caroline Wood)

"Although it takes away the overall grading, it is a really positive step in the right direction.

"It will be more supportive to schools and teachers and parents.

"Ofsted inspections are the biggest cause of stress for headteachers and all of their staff.

"I was saddened by the death of Ruth Perry.

"We went through an Ofsted inspection since then and it was very stressful for everyone involved.

"It is good to see some change and I am very pleased."

Nick Rutherford, headteacher of Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, said: "I welcome the change in principle; one-word grades were always a pointlessly reductive way to describe schools, which are complex and complicated places.

"I say ‘in principle’ because little will change in practice this year – Ofsted will continue to use the four judgements about the various aspects of the school and, since they often give schools the same judgement for each category, the outcome will be much the same.

"That is to say, a school will no longer be rated as ‘inadequate’ but may still be judged as ‘inadequate’ in all areas.

"What I am looking forward to with cautious optimism is the longer-term part of the plan, which is to move the whole report to a more detailed series of judgements about the different aspects of school life.

"The devil will be, as always, in the detail, but I am hopeful this will lead to something more nuanced, more collaborative (between the inspectorate and schools) and more useful to parents."

David Scadden is the Director of Sunny Days Nursery in Weymouth and Dorchester.

David Scadden (Image: Finnbarr Webster)

Last year, the nursery in Dorchester saw its rating fall from good to inadequate after suffering a large number of staff changes over a short time.

Mr Scadden said: "The scrapping the one-word grading system is very welcome by me, my colleagues in my network, by our professional body, and I am certain by everyone across all education sectors.

"There is a real ‘fear factor’ within nursery staff teams due to Ofsted’s visits, affecting staff negatively, making them feel watched and scrutinised, and feeling under the microscope.

"Staff experience Ofsted to be overly critical, and with little positive to say about their hard work with the children, or about their setting.

"I have witnessed staff crying, distressed and stressed, and I have spent many hours listening to the ‘fear factor’ staff are experiencing.

"I started my early years and childcare career at the age of 17 at a nursery in Weymouth, and over 50 plus years, I have never experienced staff in so much fear of Ofsted before now.

"Recently I have seen and heard experienced senior staff in tears, sobbing uncontrollably as a direct result of Ofsted’s visits and reports.

"One member of staff resigned and left with immediate effect due to Ofsted."