On November 10, 2020, Ofsted conducted a remote visit to Barnabas Oley CofE Primary School as part of their ongoing assessment of how schools are managing the return to full education following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit was led by Her Majesty's Inspector, Katherine Douglas, and aimed to gather insights into the school's operations since the government mandated the full reopening of schools in September 2020. The visit was part of a broader initiative by Ofsted to understand the impact of the pandemic on education across various types of schools in England.
During the visit, the inspectors engaged in discussions with the headteacher, Michelle Downes, to explore the actions taken by the school in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. It was emphasized that this visit was not an inspection and did not involve graded judgments or the usual range of inspection activities, such as classroom observations or reviewing students' work. Instead, the focus was on understanding the current situation and the measures implemented by the school to support its pupils.
The context of the visit was shaped by the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to significant disruptions in formal schooling. Ofsted's approach during this period involved remote visits to alleviate pressure on schools while still gathering valuable information. The findings from this visit would contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, helping to inform the government and the education sector about the state of education during this unprecedented time.
The visit revealed that since the beginning of the term, no class bubbles had been sent home, indicating effective management of health and safety protocols. However, approximately one-sixth of pupils had engaged in remote learning for varying durations while awaiting COVID-19 test results. The school maintained a commitment to delivering a full curriculum, ensuring that pupils were taught all subjects as per the usual schedule. Some adjustments were made to the curriculum, particularly in design and technology and music, where certain activities were temporarily suspended to adhere to safety guidelines.
Teachers at Barnabas Oley CofE Primary School had proactively assessed pupils' starting points in all subjects to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding resulting from the extended break in formal education. This assessment allowed educators to tailor their teaching strategies to address the specific needs of their students. It was noted that some pupils had experienced setbacks in their phonics knowledge and reading comprehension, prompting staff to provide additional support to help them catch up. In mathematics, similar challenges were identified, and extra teaching was being offered to reinforce essential concepts.
The school leadership was commended for creating new opportunities for engaging learning experiences across all subjects. Teachers continued to follow established teaching plans while incorporating innovative approaches to maintain student interest. The school also planned for remote learning options, providing both online and paper-based resources to ensure continuity of education for pupils unable to attend in person. Training was being provided to teachers to facilitate the delivery of live lessons, mirroring the content that students would receive in the classroom.
Overall, the visit highlighted the resilience and adaptability of Barnabas Oley CofE Primary School in navigating the complexities of the pandemic. The school demonstrated a commitment to maintaining educational standards and supporting its pupils during a challenging period. The insights gathered during this visit will contribute to a broader understanding of how schools across England are responding to the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19, ultimately informing future educational policies and practices. The collaborative efforts of the school staff, leadership, and the community were evident in their approach to ensuring that pupils continued to receive a quality education despite the unprecedented circumstances. The findings from this visit will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the governing body and local education authorities, to foster ongoing dialogue and support for schools as they continue to adapt to the evolving educational landscape.
