Commenting as Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson sets out the Labour Party’s plans to reform Ofsted, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “We are pleased to see that Labour agrees with us that significant reform of the inspection regime is required.

“The current 4-point grading system is at the heart of many of the problems with how Ofsted currently works, and we welcome the proposals to end this overly simplistic approach that does more harm than good. NAHT’s 2018 accountability commission examined the idea of using balanced report cards to provide feedback on schools and there is certainly merit in exploring this further. A separate annual review of safeguarding and health and safety is also a sensible idea and if carefully designed could have a positive impact.

“There is plenty of detail that would need ironing out but this certainly represents a step in the right direction. School leaders welcome accountability, but there is a better and fairer way than the current system – a new approach is long overdue.”