The harshest headteacher in Britain has issued a warning, claiming that eliminating headline marks for single-phrase inspections will cause schools to prioritize "feelings" above "facts."

Previously, schools inspected by education agency Ofsted were given one of four headline grades: "outstanding," "good," "requires improvement," or "inadequate."

However, the Government on Monday announced that the single phrase system was being axed with immediate effect.

From September next year, parents will instead be able to view a report card in all areas which Ofsted inspects so they have a more detailed assessment of a school.

But Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been called Britain’s strictest headteacher, criticised the move.

The headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent, north-west London, said: “Abolishing judgments because of leaders feeling bad is a nod in the wrong direction. It is an indulgence of the tyranny of feelings being more important than facts.”

She added that the reasoning behind the move “worries” her regarding the new Labour government’s future decisions.

Ms Birbalsingh also said plans for the new report cards will “not give more clarity to parents” and this was “bluster from the politicians”.

The change to the Ofsted system came after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.

Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, “outstanding”, to its lowest rating, “inadequate”, over safeguarding concerns.

A coroner concluded the Ofsted inspection in November 2022 “contributed” to Mrs Perry’s death.