A Horwich headteacher said the scrapping of one-and-two-word ratings for primary schools and secondary schools was a positive step.

Tony McCabe, the headteacher of St Joseph's RC High School, said the new system was welcome as the old system was "reductionist".

Mr Cabe spoke to The Bolton News about the issue for the first time after a rating of requires improvement last year. He spoke to The Bolton News about the issue again after an announcement by Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, saying she was scrapping one-and-two-word ratings for primary schools and secondary schools from this school year to be replaced with a report card in the next school year.

Other Ofsted reforms include the introduction of regional improvement teams to support schools which are struggling with their weaknesses.

The watchdog is under scrutiny for the tragedy of Ruth Perry who took her own life after a rating of inadequate for her school in Berkshire.

(Image: Google)

Mr McCabe said: "It is pleasing the government is looking to strengthen the support to schools which are struggling through regional improvement teams. In Bolton we are fortunate to have a strong alliance of schools who share practice and we find this type of school-to-school support is effective.

"We are pleased Ofsted listened to schools through the 'Big Listen' and we look forward to the promise of a more fit-for-purpose framework."

Ms Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said of these reforms they were a landmark moment but Damian Hinds, the Shadow Education Secretary, said of these reforms there was a risk of less transparency.

The shadow secretary told the House of Commons the proportion of schools with a rating of less than good went down from around one in three in 2010 to around one in ten in 2024 under the old system.

Mr Hinds said: "I urge the Secretary of State and her minister to assess the impact this will have on young people's prospects before it is too late."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.