On 6 October 2020, Ofsted conducted a visit to Moorfield Primary School in Newport, Shropshire, to assess the school's response to the reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit was part of a broader initiative by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education to understand how schools are managing the return to full education after an extended period of disruption. 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, senior leadership team, and business manager to gather insights about the school's current situation.
The school reopened to all pupils on 2 September 2020, with the expectation that they would attend full-time. However, attendance was reported to be below the usual levels for this time of year. The headteacher indicated that efforts were being made to support families in encouraging attendance. Despite the challenges, pupils across all year groups were engaged in their usual subjects, although some adjustments were made to the curriculum in music and physical education to facilitate social distancing. For instance, athletics was prioritized over team sports in PE classes.
Since returning to school, teachers have been actively assessing pupils' starting points and identifying gaps in knowledge. This has been particularly important for those who fell behind in reading during the period when schools were only open to a limited number of children. Additional support has been provided to these pupils to help them catch up. In mathematics, checks indicated that pupils' understanding of place value was in line with expectations for this stage of the term.
The school is currently not delivering remote education but is prepared to implement it if necessary. The visit did not reveal any significant concerns, and the information gathered will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, which aims to inform the government and the education sector about the challenges and successes schools are experiencing during this unprecedented time.
The headteacher expressed a commitment to returning to the usual curriculum by summer 2021, indicating a proactive approach to addressing the educational needs of pupils. The visit highlighted the school's efforts to adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic while maintaining a focus on educational standards and pupil well-being. The insights gained from this visit will be valuable in shaping future educational policies and practices as schools continue to navigate the complexities of post-pandemic education.
Overall, the visit to Moorfield Primary School provided a snapshot of the school's current operations and the measures being taken to support pupils' learning and attendance. The collaborative efforts of the leadership team and staff demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that all pupils receive the education they need to succeed, even in the face of ongoing challenges. The findings from this visit will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the governing body and regional education authorities, to foster a broader understanding of the educational landscape during this critical period.
