“Single headline grades are damaging and counterproductive, and we are delighted that they are being removed from school inspections with immediate effect. This is something that ASCL has long campaigned for along with many others in the education sector.
“The School Report Cards system that will be introduced from September 2025 has the potential to provide parents with a more rounded picture of their school’s performance.
“The big challenge now is to make sure that we get this right and that we don’t end up replacing one flawed system with another flawed system.
“It is also imperative that schools which are identified as struggling are able to access effective practical support in a timely manner. We look forward to hearing more about the government’s plan for regional improvement teams.”