OFSTED,  is making a big change affecting all schools nationwide. The well-known ratings of Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate are being replaced. Instead, schools will now receive something called Report Cards. Leena Birdi, co-founder, Birdi & Co explains how this impacts the education sector

What are Report Cards?

Report Cards are a new way of looking at how well schools are doing. Instead of just giving schools a one-word rating which has historically placed a lot of stigma on Schools and early years settings, Report Cards will consider more factors to give a fuller picture of a school’s performance. This new approach aims to show not only what a school is doing well but also, specifically, where it needs to improve.

What about nurseries and early years settings?

So far, the new Report Cards are focused on schools, and it’s not clear yet if nurseries and early years settings will be included with immediate effect.

Unlike schools, the transition from a single heading to a report card will not take place immediately for the early years sector.

Until this change is transitioned to early years settings, all early years settings, will continue to receive a single headline grade along with their sub judgements.

As experts in the nursery sector, we’re keeping a close eye on these changes to see how they might affect early years education. When nurseries are also assessed with Report Cards in the future, it could lead to a better understanding of the quality of care and education provided to young children.

What does this mean for schools, parents, and students?

We’re told to expect clearer insights into the strengths and areas for improvement within each school, achieving accountability and targeted support. If that’s true, how does this specifically relate to stakeholders?

For schools, this may mean that their performance will be judged in more detail. Educators will receive more specific feedback, which can help them better understand what needs to be done to improve the education they provide.

For parents, Report Cards will give a clearer view of how a school is performing in different areas. This should make it easier to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a school, helping parents make more informed choices for their children’s education. This does mean that parents will have to delve deeper into the details of each school and make their own comparisons.

Students may benefit from this change too. By focusing on a wider range of factors, schools will be encouraged to create a more well-rounded educational experience, supporting both academic and personal growth.