Ofsted conducted a visit to St Mary’s Church of England Aided Primary School on 13 October 2020, following the reopening of schools in September after the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was part of a broader initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education. The visit was not an inspection, and no graded judgments were made. Instead, it aimed to gather information on the school’s current situation and the measures taken since the full reopening.
During the visit, discussions were held with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, special educational needs coordinator, and the curriculum leader for English. However, due to protective measures in place, inspectors did not speak to pupils. The context of the visit was significant, as it occurred during a time when schools were adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the extended break in formal schooling.
The inspectors noted that St Mary’s opened its doors to all pupils from Reception to Year 6 on 2 September 2020, with Nursery class pupils starting on 14 September. Attendance levels were reported to be similar to those from the previous year, indicating a successful return to school for most students. However, teachers identified gaps in phonics knowledge among Reception class children, and assessments revealed that some pupils in Years 1 and 2 were not reading as fluently as they had prior to the pandemic. To address these issues, the school implemented extra support to help pupils catch up.
In mathematics, it was observed that some pupils had forgotten basic number skills, such as doubling, halving, and recalling multiplication tables. Teachers were revisiting these fundamental concepts to help students regain their lost knowledge. The curriculum was being adapted to ensure that all subjects were being taught, with teachers checking pupils’ retained knowledge in subjects like science, geography, and history. The school aims to return to its normal curriculum across all subjects by the summer term of 2021.
St Mary’s has also developed a range of resources to support remote learning, reflecting the subjects taught in school. Staff received training on how to utilize these resources effectively, and there are plans to provide additional training for parents and carers to assist their children in using these resources should future local restrictions arise.
The visit concluded without any significant concerns being raised, and the information gathered will contribute to Ofsted’s national reporting, which will inform the government and the education sector about the current state of schools. The headteacher’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic and the measures taken to support pupils’ learning were acknowledged positively.
Overall, the visit highlighted the school’s commitment to ensuring that pupils receive a comprehensive education despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The strategies implemented to support learning and the focus on addressing gaps in knowledge demonstrate a strong dedication to the educational development of all students at St Mary’s Church of England Aided Primary School. The insights gained from this visit will play a role in shaping future educational policies and practices.
