The visit to St Anne's Church of England Primary School on 8 October 2020 was part of a focused initiative by Ofsted to assess how schools are managing the return to full education following the extended break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI) Mark Quinn and Adam Sproston, the visit aimed to gather insights into the current educational landscape as schools reopened fully on 3 September 2020.
During the visit, discussions were held with the headteacher, Polly Goodson, subject leaders for mathematics and computing, and the senior leadership team. Pupils were not interviewed due to the protective measures in place.
St Anne's fully reopened to all pupils on 3 September 2020, with attendance rates comparable to previous years at this time. All pupils are expected to attend school full-time, ensuring a return to normalcy in the educational environment.
The school has prioritized mathematics, reading, and personal, social, and health education to help pupils readjust and recover from lost learning time. Teachers have conducted assessments to gauge pupils’ knowledge in phonics and reading, with additional support arranged for those needing to catch up.
Checks revealed that older pupils are struggling with certain aspects of reading comprehension, prompting the school to invest in new resources to bolster this area. In mathematics, assessments indicated that pupils are less secure in fundamental arithmetic skills, with plans in place to address these gaps.
The school is developing systems to identify learning missed during the spring and summer terms of 2020 and is prepared to adjust the curriculum as necessary. Plans are also in place to deliver the curriculum remotely if required, supported by a range of resources and staff training.
The visit concluded with no significant concerns identified regarding the school’s response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The proactive measures taken by St Anne's Church of England Primary School demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that pupils receive the support they need to thrive academically and socially during this transitional period.
The insights gathered from this visit will contribute to Ofsted’s national reporting, helping to inform future educational policies and practices. The school community, including the governing body and local education authorities, will be kept informed of these findings.
This report serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of St Anne's Church of England Primary School in navigating the complexities of education during a global pandemic. The commitment to prioritizing student well-being and learning is commendable and sets a positive example for other institutions facing similar challenges.