Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection at Mendell Primary School on 27 May 2021, following three successive judgments of requires improvement in previous inspections. The inspection aimed to evaluate the progress made by the school since the last section 5 inspection. The findings indicate that leaders and governors are taking effective action to improve the school, with a focus on enhancing the quality of education.
The inspection acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted various aspects of the school's operations. Despite these challenges, the school has made notable progress in improving education in English and mathematics. Staff and governors are aligned in their goals, fostering a positive atmosphere regarding the school's direction. Clear plans are in place to facilitate further improvements.
The English leader has implemented a structured approach to reading, ensuring that all staff receive training in phonics. This initiative has helped pupils recover from learning disruptions caused by the pandemic, with targeted support available for those needing extra assistance. As a result, pupils are gaining confidence and fluency in applying their phonics knowledge.
In mathematics, the curriculum has been adapted to ensure that knowledge is taught in a logical sequence. Teachers provide frequent opportunities for pupils to practice essential skills, contributing to their growing fluency in solving mathematical problems. The curriculum is effectively tailored to reinforce prior learning before introducing more complex content.
However, the inspection highlighted that efforts to enhance learning in subjects beyond English and mathematics have been less successful. Leaders have struggled with curriculum planning in these areas, which has hindered the development of a coherent curriculum that enables pupils to retain knowledge over time. The pandemic has further delayed plans for curriculum development, and suitable training for teachers and subject leaders has not been sourced effectively.
Governors have prioritized staff well-being in recent months and have engaged in discussions about improvements in English and mathematics. However, they have not held leaders accountable for the quality of education in other subjects, which remains an area for development.
The school has utilized support from the local authority to enhance subject leaders' knowledge and improve the English and mathematics curriculums. In contrast, the school is still in the early stages of leveraging support from other schools to review and rebuild the curriculum in additional subjects.
During the inspection, discussions were held with senior leaders, teaching staff, pupils, and representatives from the governing body and local authority. Observations of phonics sessions, reviews of pupils' work in science and history, and evaluations of curriculum plans for all subjects were conducted. The inspection also considered responses from staff and parents regarding their experiences at the school.
In summary, while Mendell Primary School has made significant strides in improving education in English and mathematics, further work is needed to enhance the curriculum in other subjects. The leadership team is encouraged to ensure that subject leaders and teachers receive specific training to deliver the curriculum effectively across all subjects. Additionally, governors should increase their scrutiny of the quality of education beyond English and mathematics to support the school's overall improvement journey.
