Ofsted to press ahead with new inspection regime despite opposition

Unions and headteachers say ‘Nando’s-style’ scorecard is worse than schools watchdog’s current regime

England’s schools watchdog, Ofsted, is to press ahead with the introduction of its new inspection regime in November, including a colour-coded report card for parents, despite widespread opposition from headteachers and unions.

An “exceptional” judgment will become the highest of five grades to be awarded across six different inspection areas, as first reported in the Guardian last month, as part of the overhaul prompted by the suicide of the Reading headteacher Ruth Perry after a visit by Ofsted.