Is Ofsted’s new Report Card System ‘Causing Concern’ or is it ‘Exemplary’? FE Soundbite 783

February 8, 2025

Welcome to FE Soundbite Edition 783: 8th February 2025 | Is Ofsted's new Report Card System 'Causing Concern' or is it 'Exemplary'?

This is the weekly e-newsletter and e-journal by FE News: ISSN 2732-4095. We know life is busy, so here is a snapshot of the latest announcements and epic thought leadership articles from sector influencers and cool thinkers across FE and Skills this week on FE News

Gavin’s Reflective Perspective

Is Ofsted's new Report Card System 'Causing Concern' or is it 'Exemplary'?

The big announcement this week, which will affect everyone in FE and Skills, is Ofsted's new Report Card system, and it has really got the sector talking, and everyone seems to have a view on this! Talk about system change. Ofsted's rate card system moves from a single-word judgment to a 5-point scale across multiple areas. From 'causing concern' to 'exemplary'.

Treasure what we Measure

What is great, is that there are specific areas focussing on disadvantaged and vulnerable children and learners, including those with SEND. This, for me, is massively important, and as the old saying goes, we treasure what we measure.. so Ofsted looking into SEND and supporting disadvantaged young people is brilliant. SEND support and supporting disadvantaged young people should then be Treasured!

Are We Making Assessment More Complex or More Meaningful?

However, looking at this more deeply, for FE colleges offering full provision, we're looking at potentially 20 different judgments across all areas. As Mark Simpkins points out in his response, this isn't just evolution, it's potentially creating "a set of hurdles which will be bewildering for teachers and leaders." The big question is: are we actually making things clearer or just more complicated?

Is the Ofsted Report Card System going to be more or less stressful than Single Word Judgements?

For me, the catalyst for the system change from Single Word Judgements to the new Report Card system was tragically brought to a head with the suicide of Head Teacher Ruth Perry. The acid test is.. is this new system from Ofsted more, or less stressful a process for leaders?

Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, makes an interesting point (seeing as he represents leaders in Schools and Colleges): "Ofsted and the government appear to have learned nothing from the death of headteacher Ruth Perry and have instead devised an accountability system which will subject a beleaguered profession to yet more misery."

Ofsted's Big Listen, which, to be fair, was a brilliant idea to collectively hear from schools, colleges, and training providers on what would be a good alternative to single word judgements. It appears a lot of leaders are very concerned about what the new Report Card will mean in practice. Louise Doyle makes a really good point: "I'm unclear why a report card full of reds and not quite reds will be less stressful than receiving a single grade?"

Will this also be a lot more confusing for parents, employers, students and educators to understand? Yes it is more detailed.. but will people 'get it'?

The 12-week consultation is now vital to iron out the wrinkles on this.. and also ensure that the new system isn't more confusing and causes more stress to leaders and educators.

From Measurement to Development: A Tale of Two Approaches

Speaking of quality improvement, Matt O'Leary's fascinating article on 'unseen observation' around a project with Walsall College really resonated with me this week. How interesting is this? Instead of traditional classroom observations, they're focusing on professional dialogue and self-reflection. One participant said it "makes you fall in love with your job again!" – now that's the kind of innovation our sector needs!

Matt highlights that the Unseen Observation project was: A vision that was underpinned by innovative thinking and practice, but also one which placed the emphasis on supporting and developing teaching staff rather than sorting and measuring them.

Interesting when flipping this on the backdrop of Ofsted's report card system. Do we need to be thinking innovatively about individual support and development to Educators, Leaders and Institutions?

A really popular article this week was Gavin Lumsden's piece The Power of Initial and Diagnostic Assessment in Further Education. Gavin's article shows how systematic approaches help educators craft personalised learning plans and overcome barriers.

Gavin's and Matt's articles are looking how individuals can personally develop, in different ways.

What can Ofsted learn from Gavin and Matt's micro-level – looking at the individual for development and personal reflection? Particularly support and developing individuals, not sorting or measuring them. What can we think of to help the development and continuous improvement at the macro or institutional level?

Ofsted Rate Card so far appears to be 'Causing Concern' with Leaders

As it appears a lot of stress radiating from leaders about the new Report Card system, and it hasn't even rolled out yet. So it would appear, that moving from single-word judgment to the Report Card, if spurred on by the tragic death of Ruth Perry, has so far, I would conclude has been rated definitely as 'Causing Concern.'

However, the lead and support for SEND, for Disadvantaged youth. For me, as a parent, I think will be a massive improvement and steps into Exemplary for trying to achieve this.

Next week is the very busy National Apprenticeship Week, so Happy NAW.. we have a LOT of content on its way for you next week. Could it be a time of more clarity and announcements on Apprenticeships?

I hope you enjoy Soundbite this week

Epic Exclusives Thought Leadership Articles

Our Top 3 Thought Leadership Articles This Week

A Turning Point for Skills? Key Opportunities Ahead By Dr Fiona Aldridge, CEO of the Skills Federation (also known as the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards (FISSS)

Empowering Practitioners’ Professional Learning Through Unseen Observation By Professor Matt O’Leary, Professor of Education at Birmingham City University

The Power of Initial and Diagnostic Assessment in Further Education By Gavin Lumsden, The Teacher Coach,

This week, we also had some other Epic Exclusives!

Next-Generation Innovation: Transforming the Future By Yassine Laghzioui, Serial Entrepreneur, Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P, and CEO of UM6P Ventures

A Values-Led, System-Wide Approach to Safeguarding By Palvinder Singh, Principal at Kirklees College, and Dr Vikki Smith, Executive Director, Education and Standards, at the Education and Training Foundation.

Lived Experience and Authenticity – The key to Increasing Engagement By Spencer Moore, Chief Strategy Officer, The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)