When schools becomes academies, their previous Ofsted grades will no longer be wiped from the inspectorate’s records.

Following a consultation, Ofsted has said that the grades of predecessor schools will now be included in its data and published on the Ofsted website.

Around 600 additional schools will now be included in the national data, as a result of these changes. Ofsted will make it clear whether the inspection grades apply to the new academy or its predecessor.

The Ofsted consultation received 162 responses. More than half - 57 per cent - strongly agreed with the proposal, and a further 32 per cent agreed.

‘Many schools have same staff’

Most respondents said that the changes would make the data accurate and transparent, and allow for a fair and balanced picture of individual schools.

One respondent said: “In many instances, a school that has converted has many of the same staff, and continues to operate in the same way as before conversion.”

Only 6 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposal. One of these respondents suggested that it would make it harder for a school to make a fresh start.

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