TEACHERS from across Wiltshire have welcomed changes to Ofsted's grading system which sees 'single headline grades' scrapped but some say more needs to be done.
Schools will no longer be graded as either Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.
The change, effective immediately from September 2, has been made in a bid to "boost school standards and increase transparency for parents".
It forms part of the Government's reform educational reform agenda.
For inspections this academic year, parents will see four grades across the existing sub-categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership & management.
Read more: One-word Ofsted grade scrap a relief for parents, says Starmer on school visit
This reform paves the way for the introduction of School Report Cards from September 2025, which will provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure that inspections are more effective in driving improvement.
Headteachers in and around Salisbury, contacted by the Journal, unanimously supported the scrapping of 'one headline grades'.
Matthew Morgan, the new Headmaster at Bishop Wordsworth's School, said: "No one word can adequately describe the complexity and intricacies of any one educational establishment.
"All schools are always working to improve as educators care deeply about young people.
"I am pleased additional reforms will be made to the inspection process later in the year."
Educational trust Magna Learning Partnership owns a handful of schools across Salisbury and nearby including Wyvern St Edmund's Academy, Sarum Academy and Salisbury Sixth Form College.
CEO Ian Tucker said: "The announcement that Ofsted will be moving away from single-word judgements in school inspections is a welcome and much-needed development.
"I was encouraged to hear the Secretary of State, Bridget Phillipson, deliver on this pledge and reaffirm her commitment to making education a central focus of national life.
"I look forward to seeing Ofsted implement their new reporting framework over the next 12 months, and it is reassuring to see that they are actively listening to the voices of school leaders."
Carole Dean, headteacher of Stonehenge School, said: "It is encouraging to see Ofsted acknowledging the need to evolve its approach to school evaluations. The proposed changes will potentially provide a more nuanced and fairer reflection of the hard work that goes on in schools every day, rather than relying on a single overall judgment. This shift should help to reduce some of the pressures associated with inspections.
"In terms of mental wellbeing, both for myself and our teaching staff, I believe this new approach could have some positive impact, although it is likely that we will still be inspected in a very similar way across all aspects of the school. The new report card system is likely to report on the four areas that contribute to the current judgments so parents will receive similar information to what is included in current Ofsted reports.
"However, while these changes are a step in the right direction, I think there are still aspects of the Ofsted system that need further revision. For instance, the frequency and timing of inspections can still be a source of stress, especially the pressure caused by not having an accurate idea of when inspections will be and having very little notice. Additionally, a more collaborative approach to inspections, where schools are seen as partners rather than simply being judged, could foster a more constructive relationship between schools and Ofsted."
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