On November 3, 2020, Ofsted conducted a visit to Thurcroft Junior Academy as part of a focused initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This 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, the visit aimed to gather insights into the school's operations and the measures taken since the full reopening of schools in September 2020.
During the visit, discussions were held with the principal and the vice principal, but due to protective measures in place, inspectors did not engage with students. The context of the visit was framed by the ongoing challenges faced by the education sector as it adapted to the new normal following an extended period of school closures. The Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is overseeing this work, which includes visits to a diverse range of schools across various categories, including maintained schools, academies, and special schools.
The findings from the visit indicated that all pupils were expected to return to full attendance when the school reopened on September 3, 2020. Attendance levels were reported to be slightly higher than the same period in the previous year, suggesting a positive response from the school community. Pupils were engaged in their usual curriculum subjects, and school leaders reported that teachers had conducted assessments to identify gaps in learning resulting from the pandemic. To address these gaps, additional lesson time was allocated, particularly in reading and mathematics.
In reading, the school prioritized revisiting phonics for Year 3 and Year 4 students, while Year 5 focused on fluency and reading speed, and Year 6 concentrated on reading comprehension. In mathematics, the school identified gaps in students' knowledge of numbers and times tables, implementing daily activities to reinforce these skills across all year groups. The wider curriculum also saw adjustments, with changes made to the sequencing of subjects due to COVID-19 restrictions. For instance, outdoor activities were emphasized in physical education during the autumn term, while practical science lessons were scheduled for later in the year.
In the Nursery, leaders observed that students were not collaborating as effectively due to the restrictions, prompting plans for more activities to encourage teamwork. Furthermore, the school has developed contingency plans to deliver the curriculum remotely to whole classes or smaller groups if future COVID-19 restrictions arise.
Overall, 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 current state of schools. The insights shared by the school will play a role in shaping future educational policies. The letter summarizing the visit will be made available on the Ofsted website, ensuring transparency and communication with parents and stakeholders. The visit underscored the school's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic while maintaining educational standards and supporting student learning.
