On 22 October 2020, Ofsted conducted a visit to St Clare’s Catholic Primary School in Chester, led by Her Majesty’s Inspector Ahmed Marikar. This visit was part of a broader initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was not an inspection and did not involve graded judgments or the usual range of inspection activities, such as lesson observations or reviewing pupils' work. Instead, it focused on discussions with the headteacher, Marian Ryder, and the acting assistant headteacher about the school's actions since the full reopening of schools in September 2020.
The context of the visit was significant, as schools across England were adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Ofsted aimed to gather insights from a diverse range of schools to inform national reporting and share findings with the government and the education sector. During the visit, it was noted that St Clare’s had successfully reopened to all pupils on 2 September 2020, with attendance levels exceeding typical figures for this time of year.
The school had made necessary adjustments to its curriculum, prioritizing the teaching of essential skills in English and mathematics. This led to a temporary reduction in the curriculum for modern foreign languages, with plans to return to the full curriculum by January 2021. Teachers identified that younger pupils were lagging in their phonics knowledge compared to previous years, prompting the introduction of a support program to help these students catch up. Additionally, some pupils in Years 3 to 6 were experiencing difficulties with reading comprehension, and staff were ensuring that reading opportunities were integrated across the curriculum.
In mathematics, assessments revealed that pupils required more practice with calculations. Consequently, the mathematics curriculum was being adapted to provide additional support for those needing help to get back on track. Teachers employed various strategies to identify gaps in pupils' learning across subjects beyond English and mathematics, using this information to adjust the curriculum accordingly.
The school also developed a remote education offer, ensuring that online resources aligned with the subject curriculums. Training was provided for both staff and pupils to facilitate the safe use of these new systems. The visit concluded without any significant concerns being raised, and the insights gathered would contribute to future policy discussions.
The letter from Ofsted expressed gratitude for the school's contributions to this national effort, emphasizing the importance of the shared experiences in shaping educational practices moving forward. The findings from the visit would be published on the Ofsted website, ensuring transparency and accessibility for parents and the wider community. Overall, the visit highlighted the proactive measures taken by St Clare’s Catholic Primary School to address the challenges posed by the pandemic and support its pupils' educational needs during a time of unprecedented disruption.
