Ofsted conducted a visit to Sturry Church of England Primary School on 8 October 2020, led by Her Majesty’s Inspector, Clive Dunn. This visit was part of Ofsted's initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was not an inspection, and therefore 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, Joanna Murray, senior leadership team members, and representatives from the Stour Academy Trust. Due to protective measures in place, inspectors did not engage with pupils directly. The visit was framed within the context of the broader educational landscape, where Ofsted is examining how schools are coping with the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Sturry Church of England Primary School reopened to all pupils on 2 September 2020, with a phased start for Reception Year children, who began full-time attendance on 15 September. Initially, attendance was affected by non-COVID-related illnesses, but it has since improved to align with typical expectations for this time of year. The school has successfully worked with families of previously persistently absent pupils, resulting in enhanced attendance rates post-lockdown.
The curriculum has been adapted to ensure that all subjects are being taught, with some content rearranged to address topics missed during school closures. For instance, learning about the water cycle, which was missed, will be integrated into future geography lessons about Antarctica. Assessments conducted by teachers indicate that pupils in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 6 have fewer gaps in their learning compared to other year groups, as these pupils were able to attend school in smaller groups during the summer term.
Reading remains a priority for the school, with early reading skills being assessed and phonics groups reorganized to better support pupils. Plans are in place to utilize government funding to hire additional staff to assist those who have fallen behind in reading. In mathematics, teachers are focusing on revising previous learning to reinforce understanding before introducing new concepts.
Leaders have collaborated with colleagues within the multi-academy trust to develop plans for remote learning, should it become necessary. This includes provisions for live online teaching each day for any class bubbles that may need to isolate.
The visit concluded without any significant concerns being raised, and the insights gathered will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, informing future educational policy. The school’s proactive measures and adaptations in response to the pandemic demonstrate a commitment to maintaining educational standards and supporting pupil learning during challenging times. The findings from this visit will be shared with the government and the education sector to provide a clearer picture of how schools are navigating the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The letter summarizing the visit will be published on the Ofsted website, ensuring transparency and accessibility for parents and the wider community.
