Ofsted conducted a visit to William Tyndale Primary School on 1 October 2020, following the reopening of schools after the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was part of a broader initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education for pupils after an extended break. The visit was not an inspection, and no graded judgments were made. Instead, it aimed to gather insights into the school's operations during the autumn term.
During the visit, discussions were held with the headteacher, deputy headteacher, and other senior leaders, including the designated safeguarding lead. However, due to protective measures in place, inspectors did not speak to pupils. The visit focused on understanding the school's response to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the measures taken to ensure a smooth transition back to full-time education.
The school reopened to all pupils on 3 September 2020, and attendance levels have been high, comparable to typical figures for this time of year. Leaders have maintained regular communication with parents to encourage attendance, which has been a priority since the return to school. The curriculum has been adapted to ensure that pupils can catch up on missed learning from the previous terms. The school is working towards returning to the usual curriculum by the spring term of 2021.
Teachers have implemented daily sessions to assess pupils' reading skills and identify their needs. In the early years and Years 1 and 2, phonics skills are being tested to ensure that children have access to appropriate reading materials. Additionally, teachers and leaders have collaborated to discuss each pupil's learning across the curriculum, allowing for targeted interventions where necessary. In mathematics, teachers are using assessments to tailor learning to meet individual pupils' needs.
The school has also introduced new texts for each year group to support learning in English and other subjects, such as history and science. These texts are intended to cover content that pupils may have missed during the previous academic year. Furthermore, a remote learning policy has been established, enabling teachers to utilize various online resources to support pupils' learning. Leaders are aligning the school's digital learning platform with the in-school curriculum, ensuring that pupils who are self-isolating can continue their studies in line with their classmates.
Overall, the visit highlighted the school's proactive approach to managing the challenges of the pandemic. The leadership team has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining high attendance levels and ensuring that pupils receive a comprehensive education despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The insights gathered during this visit will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, helping to inform future educational policies and practices. The school has shown resilience and adaptability in its response to the unprecedented circumstances, prioritizing the well-being and learning of its pupils. The visit did not reveal any significant concerns, indicating that the school is effectively navigating the complexities of the current educational landscape. The findings from this visit will be shared with the government and the education sector to provide a clearer picture of how schools are managing the return to full education.
