Ofsted conducted a remote visit to Box Church of England Primary School on 17 November 2020, following the government's directive for schools to fully reopen in September 2020 after the COVID-19 lockdown. The visit was part of Ofsted's efforts 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 classroom observations or reviewing students' work. Instead, it focused on discussions with the headteacher and deputy headteacher about the school's actions during the term.
During the visit, it was noted that approximately one-sixth of the pupils had spent some time learning from home this term. Upon their return in September, teachers prioritized the emotional well-being of students, providing opportunities for discussions around themes like friendship, loss, and grief. Teachers assessed the learning of pupils and identified areas where some had fallen behind, particularly in phonics and spelling accuracy. In response, staff in the early years and Key Stage 1 increased the time dedicated to practicing early reading skills.
The visit highlighted that some older pupils had shown a decline in their enthusiasm for reading. To address this, teachers are now dedicating more time each day to reading stories and poems to students in Years 3 to 6. Additionally, senior leaders have adjusted the order of mathematics content to help students consolidate their number skills, incorporating mental mathematics activities to enhance speed and accuracy in multiplication.
Some subjects have been modified or temporarily paused. For instance, physical education lessons continue but are held in different venues, while French teaching has been put on hold with plans to reintroduce it later in the academic year. Leaders have also developed plans for remote education, ensuring that when individual pupils need to work from home, they receive similar learning activities to those in school. No entire groups of pupils have been sent home this term, but if that situation arises in the future, teachers are prepared to deliver lessons online.
The visit concluded without any significant concerns being raised about the school's operations. The insights gained from this visit will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, which aims to inform the government and the education sector about the current state of education in England. The headteacher's efforts to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the measures taken to support pupils' learning and well-being were acknowledged. The information shared during the visit will help shape future educational policies and practices. The letter summarizing the visit will be published on the Ofsted website, ensuring transparency and accessibility for parents and the wider community. Overall, the school is navigating the complexities of the current educational landscape with a focus on supporting its pupils' needs during this unprecedented time.
