A new "report card" system being piloted in Camden is set to replace Ofsted's one-word school judgements.

From September 2025, these detailed report cards will provide a comprehensive evaluation of schools, the BBC has reported.

Three areas in England have already started working on these localised reports after requests from parents for more information.

One such area is Camden, which is piloting a smartphone-friendly school report card.

This will allow parents to search for schools in their vicinity and delve into descriptions, photos, and data about the schools.

A former Ofsted head told the BBC Camden's work should guide ministers in shaping the national changes.

Camden's school reports begin with an 'Our school in 100 words' section, outlining the school's ethos, values and strengths.

This is followed by 'Our school in 10 photos', showcasing the school's facilities and activities.

The report also incorporates the school's latest Ofsted report, typically two to three pages of writing.

Additionally, the report gathers official statistics not included in Ofsted reports, such as GCSE and Sats results, compared with local and national averages.

It also includes data on pupil absence.

Each school must also detail its learning approach, pupil wellbeing measures, anti-bullying policy, and support for children with special educational needs.

This information is standardised for easy comparison between schools.

Gospel Oak Primary School parent Shabnam Eslambolchi told the BBC: "You have a chance to read what the school is about, what they offer, you learn about the school community."

The report card project is spearheaded by Camden Learning, a collaboration between local schools and the council, chaired by former Ofsted chief inspector Dame Christine Gilbert.

She said: "It’s really important we listen to the voices of parents and here in a very simple, cost-effective way parents will have more information."

Dame Christine was “amazed” at the 100-word summaries and how strong parents' reaction were.

When one secondary described itself as feminist, one parent on a focus group said they would “really want” their child to go there while another “absolutely wouldn’t”.

A public consultation on the format of Ofsted’s report cards is set to commence early next year.

However, leaks suggesting coded ratings in 10 areas have stirred controversy among education unions.

The Camden approach may shape the replacement for Ofsted's one-word ratings.

One of the new Labour government's first announcements was that it would scrap the ratings, ranging from 'inadequate' to 'outstanding', after a coroner’s inquest found the Ofsted inspection process had contributed to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.

Regent High School headteacher Gary Moore welcomed the end of Ofsted's "brutal" one-word overall judgements.

The report-card approach is an improvement on “quite dry” Ofsted reports often not written in language parents find easy to understand, he added.

Camden plans to continue incorporating Ofsted judgements in the national report cards from next year.

Gospel Oak head teacher John Hayes says he wanted to collaborate on something “more authentic, more useful to parents” while also recognising “as public servants with an incredibly important job, we do need to be held to account”.

Camden intends to keep on including Ofsted judgements in the new national report cards from next year. Sheffield will publish a report on its work so far in the coming weeks.