One-word Ofsted ratings for schools are to be scrapped with immediate effect, the Government has announced.
In an aim to boost school standards and increase transparency for parents, theDepartment for Education (DfE) has confirmed this week that its education standards board will cease to use single-headline grades for schools, as believes they are “reductive” and fail to provide a “fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance” across a range of areas.
According to the Government, Ofsted one-word ratings are currently only supported by a minority of parents and teachers anyway.
So, what does this mean for the future of Ofsted inspections then?
Well, for inspections that are due to take place this academic year, parents will see four grades across the existing sub-categories, which are: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, but these grades will not be condensed into a single one-word rating.
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Single headline grades are low value for parents and high stakes for schools.
Parents expect high standards for their children. We will give them clearer and broader information about schools, to help them make the right choice for their child. pic.twitter.com/pcNMAAUD72
The Government will, however, continue to intervene in poorly-performing schools to ensure there are still high school standards for children.
Where schools are identified as struggling, the Government will prioritise getting plans in place for them to improve the education and experience of children “rapidly”, rather than relying purely on changing schools’ management.
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Then, from early 2025, the Government will also introduce ‘Regional Improvement Teams’ that will work with struggling schools to “quickly and directly address” areas of weakness.
This reform is said to be “paving the way” for the introduction of the new ‘School Report Cards’ from September of next year – which will provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing, and ensure that inspections are more effective in driving improvement.
Recent data shows that reports cards are supported by 77% of parents.
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High school students raising their hands in a classroom / Credit: gov.uk
“The need for Ofsted reform to drive high and rising standards for all our children in every school is overwhelmingly clear,” explained Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the announcement was made this week.
“The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents, and teachers.
“Single headline grades are low information for parents and high stakes for schools.
“Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing – and that’s what our report cards will provide.”
🚨 NEW: We’re scrapping single headline Ofsted judgements with immediate effect.
Ofsted judgements have been high stakes for schools, low information for parents.
We’ll:
✅ Give parents more transparency ✅ Drive high & rising standards ✅ Pave the way for school report cards
The change to scrap one-word ratings will apparently work to delivering the Government’s mission to “break down barriers to opportunity” and also demonstrates Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s commitment to “improve the life chances” of young people across the country.
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“This Government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement,” the Education Secretary concluded.
Manchester Christmas Markets visitors can now donate glass deposit to local charity instead of reclaiming it
Emily Sergeant
Visitors to this year’s Manchester Christmas Markets now have the option to donate their festive glass deposit to a local charity.
Following on from the return of the massively-impactful StreetSmart scheme – which sees dozens of local restaurants add an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness – anyone who purchases a drink at the Christmas Markets this year can also help out a local charity too.
This year, market goers can support the local charity Real Change MCR by choosing not to reclaim a small deposit on their festive drink glasses.
The Real Change MCR fund is accessed by more than 20 local homelessness organisations and charities that work to provide support for people who are, or have been, sleeping rough.
Grants are awarded to individuals to help them get off – and stay off – the streets.
According to Manchester City Council, the majority of the money funds a deposit on a flat or the first month’s rent, and the charities applying for the funding then provide long-term support to help people continue on their journey to independent living.
For the opportunity to turn a glass deposit into donations for Real Change MCR when you visit Manchester Christmas Markets this year, all you need to do is put your polypropylene glasses into our donation bins and the Council will then recycle them and donate the money to the charity on behalf of all customers.
There’s currently two deposit bins in Albert Square, one in Piccadilly Gardens, and one at Bar 3 on New Cathedral Street.
Manchester Christmas Markets visitors can now donate their glass deposit to a local homelessness charity / Credit: The Manc Group | Manchester City Council
“This is such a simple way for visitors to our fantastic Christmas markets to make a big difference,” commented Councillor Joanna Midgley, who is the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council.
“All proceeds from the glass deposits scheme will go to Real Change MCR an umbrella fund used by a range of homelessness organisations in the city. They provide funding and practical support to help people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet.
James Charnock from Real Change MCR added: “I would like to say thank you in advance to the people who visit the Markets and deposit their glasses, as the funds raised will make a big difference to the lives of so many people who are experiencing homelessness.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
Childish Gambino confirms shock stroke that caused him to cancel his world tour
Danny Jones
Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, has revealed that a stroke caused the cancellation of his Manchester gig and the rest of the shows on his world tour last year.
The multi-talented artist, actor, comedian, writer, filmmaker and jack-of-all-trades, who goes by the Gambino moniker in the music world, was scheduled to play a UK leg as part of his globetrotting series of live dates in 2024.
However, just over a month into the run, which kicked off in August, the 42-year-old musician didn’t just postpone the tour but had to cancel it altogether for the foreseeable future after falling ill on stage.
It has now been confirmed that the reason for this was a stroke, and also a serious problem with his heart, which required surgery.
At the time, he could only confirm an unknown ‘ailment’.
Detailing the incident to a crowd while playing at fellow rapper Tyler, the Creator‘s Camp Flog Gnaw festival this past weekend, ‘Gambino’ delivered the shocking news in a very matter-of-fact manner.
Confirming the stroke and a hole in his heart live to the LA audience on Saturday, 22 November, Glover began by stating that he was having a really good time on the tour, before adding: “I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana, and I did the show anyway.”
“I couldn’t really see well”, he continued, “so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.'” Yep, as simple as that.
He even went on to joke that he was copying fellow actor and singer Jamie Foxx, who also suffered a stroke back in 2023, which presented as a bad headache – one of several sudden signs of a hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke.
You can see the clip down below.
Childish Gambino reveals that he had a stroke and a hole was found in his heart and is why he had to stop his tour pic.twitter.com/YxeQYBWDBA
After visiting the hospital, it was then discovered that he had a hole in his heart, sometimes referred to as a septal defect.
The Stone Mountain-raised musician ended up needing two procedures to fix the problem and is now, thankfully, in good health and able to perform live once again.
Nevertheless, he’s not taking anything for granted after the severe health scare, telling fans on the night: “They say everybody has two lives and the second life starts when you realise you have one; you got one life, guys, and I gotta be honest, the life I’ve lived with you guys has been such a blessing,” he told fans.
His Manchester show at the AO Arena is still yet to be rescheduled, as are any of his UK dates, but we’re glad he’s not only back on the mend but back doing what he does best.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2024 
