Will CQC Follow Ofsted in Removing One-Word Ratings?
In a significant shift for the education sector, one or two-word Ofsted inspection grades for England’s schools have been scrapped, effective immediately. The traditional overall grade categories—Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate—will no longer be used. Instead, schools will still be inspected against the same standards, but the final reports will now offer a more detailed account of a school’s performance across various aspects, moving away from the simplistic one-word summaries.
This change follows the tragic suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry in 2023, which reignited a longstanding debate about the fairness and accuracy of Ofsted’s grading system. The government’s decision to abolish these one-word grades aims to reduce the pressure on schools and provide parents with a more comprehensive understanding of school performance. According to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the need for reform to maintain high standards while ensuring fairness was “overwhelmingly clear.” She emphasised that while accountability remains essential, the previous system was inadequate for the task.
The debate over Ofsted’s grading system has been ongoing for years, with critics arguing that a single grade cannot capture the complexity of a school’s environment and performance. Supporters of the old system, like Ofsted’s former chief inspector Amanda Spielman, acknowledged the benefits of simplicity and clarity for parents but conceded that the system had become “more of a problem than a help.”
The tragedy surrounding Ruth Perry’s death was a tipping point. An inquest found that an Ofsted inspection had played a role in her decision to take her own life. Coroner Heidi Connor pointed out that the “transparency and ease” of the one-word grading system had not been properly balanced against the impact on teacher welfare. Mrs. Perry’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, who has actively campaigned for the removal of these judgments, expressed her family’s relief and delight at the change. She noted that Mrs. Perry’s teenage daughters were especially pleased that their mother’s tragic experience had led to a meaningful reform.
As part of the government’s new approach, school improvement teams will be established in every area early next year, and a new “report card” system will be introduced by September 2025. This will allow parents to view detailed descriptions of what inspectors have found at a school, rather than relying on a single summary grade. For the current academic year, however, schools will still receive grades across the existing sub-categories, such as the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
The Department for Education has supported the move, stating that single-phrase grades fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance. This view is echoed by various educational organisations and unions. Jason Elsom, CEO of Parentkind, emphasised the need for the new report card to offer parents greater clarity about school performance. Paul Whiteman, leader of the National Association of Head Teachers, described the one-word judgments as “harmful,” and Daniel Kebede of the National Education Union reiterated his call for Ofsted to be completely scrapped.
Interestingly, the change currently only applies to schools, leaving early years providers under the existing system. Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, has called for the removal of one-word ratings for early years providers as well.
As the education sector adapts to these changes, a question arises: will other inspection bodies follow suit? The Care Quality Commission (CQC), responsible for monitoring and inspecting health and social care services in England, also uses a similar one-word grading system. Given the intense debate and the emotional and psychological toll these grades can have on individuals, there is growing speculation that the CQC might consider a similar overhaul.
In light of Ofsted’s decision, the CQC may find itself under increasing pressure to re-evaluate its grading system. The impact of a single grade on healthcare providers, particularly in an already stressful environment, could lead to a reconsideration of how best to ensure accountability without compromising the well-being of those being assessed.
As Ofsted begins to implement these changes, many will be watching closely to see if the CQC and other regulatory bodies will follow in removing one-word ratings, aiming for a more nuanced and supportive approach to assessments across sectors.