Ofsted’s chief inspector has said it is not possible to “reliably” identify how many schools are being graded down for “attendance and behaviour” due to concerns about performance in just one of the two areas. Chief inspector Martyn Oliver’s statement has sparked a backlash from unions who say it is “hugely disappointing” and “raises serious questions about the robustness” of Ofsted’s approach to the merged grade. Under the new inspection framework schools are given one overall grade for “attendance and behaviour”. Schools say this coupling is unfair on those who are graded down for one area despite success in the other. Become a member for unlimited access to Schools Week Our members enjoy early access to exclusive content and in-depth articles before anyone else. Get expert journalism, experience fewer ads, and unlock a growing range of member benefits. subscribe If you have an account, please login. Sign in