Ofsted conducted a visit to Greenfields Community Primary School on 1 October 2020, following the school's full reopening on 1 September 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was part of a broader initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education after an extended break. The visit was not an inspection, and no graded judgments were made. Instead, it focused on gathering information to inform national reporting and future policy.
During the visit, the inspectors spoke with the headteacher, Daniel Andrews, and three assistant headteachers. Due to protective measures in place, they did not engage with pupils. The context of the visit was to understand how the school adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the measures taken to ensure a smooth transition back to normalcy.
The inspectors noted that attendance at the school was better than expected for this time of year, with fewer families taking unauthorized term-time holidays due to current restrictions. The school was fully open to all pupils, and the curriculum was being delivered across all subjects, although some adaptations were made. For instance, in music, singing and the use of recorders were temporarily suspended.
To address the impact of lost learning time, the school has prioritized reading for pleasure, purchasing class books for each pupil to keep. Assessment strategies have been employed to review daily phonics groups, helping pupils catch up on their reading skills. In mathematics, teachers are focusing on number concepts, building on previous learning while being mindful of the challenges that may arise from missed prerequisite knowledge.
In physical education, the school has emphasized improving pupils' fitness through cardiovascular workouts in every lesson, alongside daily exercise sessions for each class. However, the school expressed disappointment that pupils could not participate in competitive sports with other schools due to ongoing restrictions.
The school has also developed plans for remote learning in core subjects such as English and mathematics, should the need arise due to COVID-19. For families without internet access, paper-based activity packs will be provided to ensure continuity of education.
Overall, the visit highlighted the school's proactive approach to managing the challenges of the pandemic, ensuring that pupils are engaged in their learning and supported in their recovery from the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The information gathered during the visit will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, providing insights into how schools across England are navigating the return to full education. The school demonstrated a commitment to maintaining high educational standards and adapting to the evolving circumstances, ensuring that all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. The visit concluded without any significant concerns, reflecting positively on the school's efforts during this challenging period. The findings will be shared with the government and the education sector to inform future policies and practices.
