One and Two-word Ofsted Inspection Grades are Scrapped

One and two-word Ofsted inspection grades for schools in England have been scrapped. We will no longer see the words OUTSTANDING, GOOD, REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT & INADEQUATE on banners across the gates of school settings. From today, the overall grade categories have been scrapped and in their place there will be the introduction of ‘report cards’.

“Accountability and communication are priorities. I’m confirming the end of Ofsted single headline grades – immediately for schools, and in time for further education and early years. A single word to sum up the performance of a school, college or any other institution simply doesn’t make sense. Instead, from September 2025 I’ll introduce a new school report card, one that gives parents the information they need and supports you to deliver high and rising standards for every child. It’s important that I say up front that report cards won’t be a soft option – they will clearly highlight areas where performance must be better for children, as well as things being done well. But they’ll be a much less crude way to achieve that than a single word could ever be.” Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, 2 Sept 2024

At Music Mark we welcome this announcement and look forward to working with the Department for Education and Ofsted to provide further support to schools to change the narrative of inspection into one of mutual and continuing improvement and learning from best practice. We want the substance of reports to be valuable and valued. 

There isn’t one single word that would do justice to the family, friends and colleagues of Ruth Perry who have campaigned in her name for this change to become a reality. We thank them for their persistence, for allowing this tragedy to spark positive change for all Head Teachers, and extend sympathy to all those affected since her death in Jan 2022.  

I do not underestimate the significance that this announcement has for teachers and senior leaders in schools who know the realities of what goes on in their school all year round. We take this moment at the start of the new school year to look forward to the year ahead. 

Later this month, on Thursday 26th Sept, our termly online forum for teachers (T-TIME) will be an opportunity for class teachers to talk about their experiences of inspection (across the UK, not solely Ofsted experiences) into music and the reporting of this.  

We will also soon be announcing bookings open for a new date with the National Lead for Music at Ofsted Chris Stevens to give an update, which we expect to take place in early October.  

If your school has an inspection in the coming weeks we hope it serves you, your staff, your children and your community. Do get in touch to share your experience of music deep dives. 

Abi Marrison, Schools Manager at Music Mark