In response to pressure to cut the proposed number of grades, Sir Martyn Oliver says he does not want schools to be told they have met a standard ‘and that’s good enough’

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver has pushed back against calls for the watchdog to give schools one of three grades, instead of one of five as planned.

His comments come after headteachers’ leaders proposed reducing the number of grades that Ofsted is planning to give schools in its new inspection report card from five to three.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) suggested that Ofsted should grade schools as either “causing concern”, “attention needed” or “secure” in each of the watchdog’s evaluation areas.

But responding to the suggestion in a speech today, Sir Martyn said he did not want Ofsted to say that when a school has met the required standard, “that’s good enough”.

Defence of Ofsted’s planned inspection grades

Speaking at an event at the City of London, he said the “secure” grade that Ofsted is proposing would recognise when schools are meeting the standards expected of them.

Sir Martyn added: “I know there are some who want us to stop there and to say, ‘This school has met the required standard, and that’s good enough.’

“I don’t want to just say, ‘That’s good enough.’ I don’t think parents want to hear that. And I don’t think leaders and governors, like many of you, really want to say that either. I don’t think that sort of model benefits children, helps parents or drives higher standards.”