Greater nuance in the first 100 new Ofsted reports published is welcome, but the new framework鈥檚 hardly the fairer grading system promised, says David Scott Reports are now out on the 100 schools which volunteered to be inspected first under 鈥檚 new framework. Some 659 grades have been awarded. Four per cent of grades awarded since November are 鈥榚xceptional鈥�, mostly issued to secondary schools. Secondaries made up a quarter of those inspected, with 69 primaries and six special schools. Overall, thirty-five per cent are 鈥榮trong standard鈥�, 56 per cent 鈥榚xpected standard鈥� and 5 per cent 鈥榥eeds attention鈥�. No volunteer schools have yet received an 鈥榰rgent improvement鈥� grade. One recent report for a 鈥榥on-volunteer鈥� school, inspected because of concerns, shows us what the lowest end of the grading spectrum looks like on paper, though. While overall grades have been scrapped, it is usually obvious where the balance lies from a quick calculation of the individual evaluation area grades. Are inspectors playing it safe? The neutral option of a five-point scale or any odd number can lead to inspectors playing it safe. It is unsurprising therefore that the third, middle grade is the one used most frequently in this analysis, at well over half. It also has the highest distribution of the same grade across all evaluation areas per school. Ofsted claims 鈥榚xpected standard鈥� signifies a 鈥渉igh-performing school doing everything it should鈥�. On current trends, thousands of schools currently rated 鈥榞ood鈥� are likely to fall into this category. It won鈥檛 please them. According to Ofsted鈥檚 rubric, the next grade up, 鈥榮trong standard鈥�, marks out 鈥渆xcellent, consistent work that鈥檚 making a real difference for children and learners鈥�. Given that schools strive to be the best they can be, those with the lower 鈥榚xpected standard鈥� grade will be disappointed at the idea they are failing to make a real difference. Considering that 鈥榚xpected standard鈥� is a 鈥渉igh bar鈥�, a surprising range of criticism also appears in reports at this grade. Meanwhile previously exempt 鈥榦utstanding鈥� infant and first schools, already systematically downgraded four years ago when the exemption was lifted, will feel particularly aggrieved if they drop down two grades in four years. Hardly the fairer grading promised Whatever spin put on it, this is hardly the fairer grading claimed by the watchdog. The better news is that report cards are more 鈥済ranular鈥� and 鈥渘uanced鈥�, as promised. They are informative and well-written, despite the occasional propensity to cut and paste text. Renewed emphasis on pupils鈥� achievements is welcome, notably the use of published outcomes, attainment data and comparisons with national averages. Inclusion is another new, discrete, expansive evaluation area which many schools will appreciate. The schools in the pilot were inspected solely by professional inspectors. These inspections are reported to have been well received and conducted appropriately. Yet there are only 277 full-time staff, when more than 20,000 schools need inspecting every four years. The big question is, how will standards be sustained when 1,000 freelance inspectors join inspection teams? The training implications for freelance inspectors are challenging but crucial in the next phase. Therefore the jury is still out on how inspections are conducted, an area where reform is most needed. Inspections must be humane The reality is that inspections will continue to be high stakes. They carry the same risks as they did before, despite the new clarity around judging safeguarding. We cannot forget reforms were prompted by the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. A coroner said that at times, the inspection of her school was 鈥渞ude and intimidating鈥�, lacking 鈥渇airness, respect and sensitivity鈥�. Ofsted must above all prioritise the safety of staff and children. Inspections must be more honest, humane, accurate and considerate. 红桃影视s will differ regarding the content, pros and cons of the new grades and report cards. However, a consistently high conduct of inspections is non-negotiable. Despite Ofsted鈥檚 grandiose claims, it is dedicated staff and leaders who are at the front line of 鈥渋mproving lives鈥� and 鈥渞aising standards鈥� every day, not the watchdog. They deserve unwavering support, maximum encouragement and recognition.