Five West Midlands schools are entering the new academic year with Ofsted's highest possible rating after being judged 'exceptional' under the watchdog's revamped inspection system.
The schools, which include E-ACT North Birmingham Academy in Erdington and Queen Mary's High School in Walsall, have been praised across a range of areas including attendance, behaviour, achievement and leadership.
Ofsted's previous top rating of 'outstanding' has been renamed 'exceptional', and inspectors now assess schools across multiple areas rather than awarding a single overall grade.
New system aims for fairer judgements
The change is designed to provide a fuller picture of what is happening at a school and give headteachers a fairer judgement, according to the education watchdog.
Previously, schools could be stuck with an 'inadequate' grade for years based on a single inspection snapshot. Under the new system, exceptional ratings are rarely handed out, with Ofsted needing to be particularly impressed by what inspectors witness.
The five schools with 'exceptional' ratings
- E-ACT North Birmingham Academy, Erdington – rated exceptional for attendance and behaviour
- Queen Mary's High School, Walsall – rated exceptional for achievement; personal development; and wellbeing
- Moat Farm Junior School, Oldbury – rated exceptional for attendance and behaviour
- Goldsmith Primary Academy, Walsall – rated exceptional for inclusion; leadership and governance; and personal development and wellbeing
- Reedswood E-ACT Primary Academy, Walsall – rated exceptional for achievement; leadership and governance; and personal development and wellbeing
Many outstanding schools await re-inspection
The new inspection system only began at the start of this year, meaning many of the region's best schools still carry their 'outstanding' tags until they are re-inspected.
Those schools will remain 'outstanding' going into the new school year until Ofsted returns for their next inspection.
