The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) is set to introduce a new five-step scale for grading schools in England, moving away from its previous use of single-word judgments like ‘outstanding’ or ‘inadequate.’ The proposal is part of a broader government-driven overhaul and will be subject to public consultation, expected to begin next week.

The revised system aims to provide more detailed evaluations of schools in eight key areas, including achievement, leadership, curriculum, personal development, attendance, behavior, and inclusion.

The new grading scale will range from ‘exemplary’ at the top to ‘causing concern’ at the bottom, replacing the previous four-grade system.

Ofsted’s shift follows public criticism of its current grading system, notably after a coroner’s report linked the suicide of headteacher Ruth Perry to the pressure from Ofsted inspections.

The overhaul is seen as a response to concerns about the potential stress and clarity of the existing evaluation format.

While the public consultation is still in the early stages, school leaders have expressed apprehension about the complexity of the proposed grading system and its potential impact on parents and educators alike.

The consultation will help shape the final version of the grading framework, which is expected to emphasize transparency and more nuanced evaluations.