Ofsted conducted a visit to Clearwell Church of England Primary School on November 3, 2020, to assess the school's response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit was part of a broader initiative to understand how schools are managing the return to full education following an extended period of disruption. The visit was not an inspection, and no graded judgments were made. Instead, it focused on gathering information about the school's current situation and the measures taken since the full reopening of schools in September 2020.
During the visit, the headteacher, Cilla James, provided insights into the school's operations and the adjustments made to the curriculum. The school welcomed back pupils in Years 1 to 6 on September 2, 2020, while Reception-age children returned on September 7, 2020. Attendance rates were reported to be above the typical levels for this time of year, indicating a strong commitment from families to ensure their children were back in school.
The curriculum offered to pupils was comprehensive, covering a full range of subjects. In response to the emotional well-being of students, the English curriculum was adapted to place greater emphasis on supporting pupils' mental health. The school anticipated that the normal curriculum would be reinstated by the spring term of 2021. Teachers conducted assessments in reading, writing, and mathematics to identify gaps in learning caused by the pandemic. To address these gaps, the school utilized the COVID-19 catch-up premium to fund an additional teacher in key stage 2.
The visit highlighted some challenges faced by pupils in their learning. Younger students had forgotten some phonics skills, while older pupils struggled with reading comprehension. In mathematics, there was a noted decline in confidence regarding mental calculation strategies and understanding of place value. Teachers were actively planning lessons to revisit these areas and reinforce prior learning. Additionally, teachers were maximizing opportunities for reading across different subjects, ensuring that pupils engaged with content from previous lessons.
The school also prepared for the possibility of remote learning by developing a new online platform. This platform would allow for tasks that mirrored the current curriculum, and there were plans to stream live teaching in certain subjects if necessary. The proactive approach taken by the school demonstrated a commitment to maintaining educational standards and supporting students' learning needs during a challenging time.
Overall, the visit did not reveal any significant concerns, and the information gathered will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting on the education sector's response to the pandemic. The insights shared by the headteacher and the school's actions will help inform future policy decisions regarding education in England. The letter summarizing the visit will be shared with various stakeholders, including the governing body and local education authorities, and will be published on the Ofsted website for public access. The visit underscored the importance of collaboration and communication within the education community as schools navigate the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic.
