17.01.12
Satisfactory or not?
The news that Ofsted is seeking to change the way it labels the categories for inspections of schools could bring terminology up to date with the meaning it implies.
For some time now, 'satisfactory' has meant the opposite; not good enough, could do better. To continue using this word is confusing and conceals the true performance of schools.
Calling a spade a spade may hurt some feelings, but greater clarity in this area can only encourage improvements to avoid this label.
Without the comfort of this non-derogatory category, schools will be more inclined to try to reach higher standards, allowing them to really be satisfactory – or, even better, 'good'.
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