Ofsted grade disparity disadvantages Primary Schools

The disparity in recently released grade outcomes between Primary and secondary schools demonstrates that the secondary-based model used to construct the Ofsted framework is not appropriate for Primary Schools.

ASCL has raised concerns about “an emerging disparity” in grades between primary and secondary schools in some of the evaluation areas. Their analysis, which has looked at more than 200 school inspection report cards, shows that while 11 per cent of secondary schools inspected received an “exceptional” grade in personal development and wellbeing, less than 1 per cent of primaries were awarded that grade. They found a similar pattern for leadership and governance.

They also highlight concerns about the number of primary schools being graded as “needs attention” on achievement. Their analysis of published inspection reports shows that this is the case for more than one in five primaries, and yet Ofsted data shows that at the end of January, just one secondary school out of the first 29 to have inspection report cards published was given a “needs attention” grade on achievement.

OST's report Requires Improvement, set out the reasons for a separate framework for Primary and Early Years last year, only to be told by Ofsted that they have taken account of this in their reforms and do not plan to make any further changes.