Bridget Phillipson defended the Government’s decision to focus on scrapping one-word Ofsted school ratings instead of other education priorities. 

The Education Secretary announced today that the one-word labels of outstanding, good, requiring improvement or inadequate will be replaced by a new system of report cards. 

Asked why the Government was focusing on the grading system instead of other potentially bigger problems in the education sector like pupil absenteeism or teacher recruitment, she said she believed the Ofsted change was an “important reform”. 

Ms Phillipson told Times Radio: “There are a range of areas where we need to take action and that is precisely what we have been getting on and doing. In terms of the announcements that I have made since becoming Education Secretary, I do believe this is an important reform. 

“It is one that has wide support and will be an important part of how we drive up standards in our schools.” 

Ms Phillipson said she believed one-word grades for schools were “too high stakes for staff” and did not provide parents with enough information. 

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