{"id":241080,"date":"2026-01-30T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/?p=241080"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:13:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T16:13:07","slug":"alarm-over-generic-wording-in-12-ofsted-report-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schoolsweek.co.uk\/alarm-over-generic-wording-in-12-ofsted-report-cards\/","title":{"rendered":"Alarm over \u2018generic\u2019 wording in 12 Ofsted report cards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ofsted has refuted claims that its new report cards are being written using AI, following concerns over \u201cgeneric\u201d wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An investigation revealed the same paragraph was used in report cards for 12 different schools \u2013 more than 10 per cent of the 103 to have been graded at that point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 12 schools spanned a range of settings \u2013 three primaries, four secondaries, two special schools, an all-through school and two technical colleges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ofsted <\/a>has now admitted the \u201cgeneric wording\u201d and said it is \u201cworking to make sure … more bespoke language\u201d is used \u201cthat speaks to the school\u2019s context\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 71-word passage was used in the \u201cnext steps\u201d section of the report cards, where inspectors recommend follow-up actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Richer’ dialogue shared with schools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Former HMI Adrian Gray, who uncovered the issue, said he was \u201chorrified to find the exact same text appears \u2026 in multiple reports\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cI first noticed this with a special school and a secondary academy \u2013 it seemed unlikely to me that two such different schools would have identical next actions \u2026 but they do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paragraph recommends that leaders \u201csustain the effectiveness of their work in all areas\u201d and \u201cseek continued improvement, overcoming barriers and challenges, in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Ofsted spokesperson said that where schools receive \u2018strong standard\u2019 and above grades across all areas \u2013 as all 12 of these did \u2013 \u201cthe \u2018next steps\u2019 will naturally lean heavily on the criteria for achieving an \u2018exceptional\u2019 grade\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said a \u201cricher, more comprehensive dialogue\u201d is shared with schools during the inspection and in feedback meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First insights on new report cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, early analysis also reveals that just one of 31 schools graded under routine inspections using Ofsted\u2019s new framework has been deemed \u2018exceptional\u2019 in any area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schools Week<\/em> previously reported on patterns in the first tranche of reports<\/a>, but these were for schools which volunteered to be inspected and were therefore more likely to be performing well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Report cards have now been published for 27 primary schools. Four secondary schools received routine inspections under Ofsted\u2019s new framework in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

None of the schools have received the lowest \u2018urgent improvement\u2019 grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, more than one-third received at least one \u2018needs attention\u2019 assessment. Eleven schools received this grade, across a combined 23 judgment areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018achievement\u2019 evaluation area received the highest number of \u2018needs attention\u2019 grades (seven). This was followed by \u2018attendance and behaviour\u2019 (five) and curriculum and teaching (four).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just one school \u2013 Ashcroft Technology Academy, in Wandsworth \u2013 received \u2018exceptional\u2019, achieving the top grade across five judgment areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ofsted has previously said the \u201clikely three most commonly awarded grades\u201d will be the middle three \u2013 \u2018needs attention\u2019, \u2018expected standard\u2019 and \u2018strong standard\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special school in special measures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A special school has been placed in special measures after a damning Ofsted report saw it given \u2018urgent improvement\u2019 ratings across the board, and found safeguarding standards were \u201cnot met\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trinity Academy Newcastle is understood to be the first school rated in need of \u2018urgent improvement\u2019 or placed in special measures since the new framework was introduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was not included in our above analysis of routine inspections, as Trinity\u2019s inspection was triggered by a monitoring visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest report said that pupils \u201care not safe\u201d and \u201cwander around school when they should be in lessons\u201d, with some leaving the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also noted that \u201cbullying, swearing, derogatory language, and aggressive and intimidating behaviour happen frequently\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Persistent absence rates were 82.4 per cent in 2023-24 \u2013 more than triple the national average of 25.6 per cent. Overall absence was at 41.2 per cent, compared to an 8.9 per cent national average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘We don’t believe the judgment reflects current strength’<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ofsted\u2019s report said the school required special measures \u201cbecause it is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education, and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the school has two sites, and inspectors found pupils at its lower site \u201cattend school regularly \u2026 enjoy their learning and achieve well from their different starting points\u201d while \u201cskilled staff provide pupils with highly effective support\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trinity said: \u201cWhile we respect the process, we do not believe the final judgment reflects the current strength of our provision, particularly the strong practice at Trinity Academy Newcastle Lower.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ofsted will now monitor the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspections will usually be termly, according to the new monitoring policy, although the number will depend on the extent of issues found. Schools in special measures can receive up to six visits within 24 months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An investigation revealed the same paragraph was used in report cards for 12 different schools<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":314902,"featured_media":241043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[25],"post-theme":[2378],"class_list":["post-241080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-ofsted","post-theme-ofsted"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t