Ofsted’s proposed report card system: A missed opportunity for real change?
Ofsted’s proposed report card system risks becoming yet another missed opportunity.
As the Voice, Glue, and Bridge for over 1,150 schools across the North East, Schools North East welcomes any reform that aims to create a fairer, more constructive approach to school improvement.
The scrapping of Ofsted’s single-word judgements was a step in the right direction—those reductive labels never captured the complexity of schools, their communities, or the challenges they face.
However, the proposed Ofsted report card system risks becoming yet another missed opportunity. While intended to provide more detailed feedback, the new report cards could simply repackage the same pressures that have long caused distress for school leaders.
A recent NAHT snap poll found that 92% of school leaders disagree with Ofsted’s plans to grade schools across at least eight areas using a five-point scale.
This raises a crucial question: Has Ofsted genuinely listened to the voices of the profession?
What’s changing—and why it’s not enough
Under the new proposals, schools will be assessed across up to 11 categories, including leadership, curriculum, inclusion, safeguarding, and more. While this may seem like a more nuanced approach, it risks creating a “data overload” without addressing the core problem: a system that still leans heavily on high-stakes accountability.
As one school leader put it:
“I cannot see how this new inspection model will have any positive impact on schools, especially in reducing the pressure on leaders.”
Another noted:
“It’s been done with haste, without sufficient input from the profession, and, along with other rushed changes, will be disastrous.”
What Schools North East stands for
At Schools North East, our mission is clear: to champion North East schools and ensure their voices shape education policy. We believe that accountability systems should:
- Support, not punish schools.
- Recognise local contexts, especially in regions facing unique challenges like deprivation and funding inequalities.
- Focus on real, lasting improvement, not just ticking boxes or assigning new labels.
While the introduction of RISE teams and promises of additional support for struggling schools are positive steps, we remain concerned that this could become another one-size-fits-all solution—ignoring the diverse needs of schools across our region.
Our call to action
We urge policymakers to:
- Engage meaningfully with school leaders, teachers, and education charities like Schools North East.
- Ensure accountability measures reflect the real work happening in classrooms—not just what can be easily measured.
- Recognise that true school improvement comes from collaboration, professional development, and trust, not fear of punitive judgments.
For North East schools, where systemic challenges often run deep, change must be more than cosmetic. It’s not about replacing one blunt tool with another—it’s about creating a system that helps schools thrive, not just survive.
Let’s make sure this isn’t just another missed opportunity. Let’s make it count.
Have your say: Help shape the future of school accountability and support
At Schools North East, we believe that the voices of school leaders must be front and centre in shaping the future of accountability. That’s why we’re launching a survey for all North East schools to gather your views on Ofsted’s proposed report card system.
Your feedback will help us create a powerful, evidence-based response that reflects the real experiences, concerns, and priorities of schools in our region. This is your chance to influence the debate, challenge flawed proposals, and ensure that the new system works for schools, not against them.
Together, we can make sure North East schools are heard where it matters most. Take the survey and help shape the future of accountability.