On November 3, 2020, Ofsted conducted a visit to Stanton Under Bardon Community Primary School, led by Her Majesty’s Inspector, Roary Pownall. This visit was part of Ofsted’s initiative to assess how schools are managing the return to full education following the extended break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit was not an inspection and did not involve graded judgments or the usual range of inspection activities, such as lesson observations or reviewing pupils' work. Instead, it focused on discussions with the headteacher, Diane Parry, and the deputy headteacher regarding the school’s actions since the full reopening mandated by the government in September 2020.
The school reopened fully on August 26, 2020, with Reception children starting on September 1. Attendance was reported to be slightly lower than usual for this time of year, but leaders were actively supporting families to facilitate pupils' return to school. Most year groups were engaged in the full range of subjects, although Year 6 pupils were not studying music or languages at that time. The school leadership anticipated a return to the usual curriculum by the summer of 2021.
During the visit, inspectors noted that teachers had assessed the knowledge pupils may have missed during the period when the school was not fully open. In response, leaders increased the time dedicated to phonics instruction in Reception and Years 1 and 2. For Years 3 to 6, the school expanded the variety of books available to pupils to enhance their comprehension and inference skills. However, it was observed that pupils in Years 3 to 6 were less confident in their understanding of shape and space in mathematics compared to previous years. Teachers adapted their planning to address these gaps in knowledge.
In the wider curriculum, teachers were checking prior knowledge as they introduced new topics, ensuring that any missed content would be covered. For pupils unable to attend school, remote learning options were provided, aligning with the school’s curriculum to ensure continuity in education.
The visit aimed to gather insights that would contribute to Ofsted’s national reporting, which would inform the government and the education sector about the current state of schools. No significant concerns were identified during the visit, and the information gathered would be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the chair of the governing body and the regional schools commissioner.
The visit underscored the school’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic and ensuring that pupils received a comprehensive education despite the disruptions. The proactive measures taken by the leadership team to support both in-person and remote learning were acknowledged as essential steps in facilitating a smooth transition back to full-time education. The findings from this visit will contribute to a broader understanding of how schools across England are navigating the complexities of returning to normalcy in education during an unprecedented time. The insights gained will play a role in shaping future educational policies and practices as schools continue to adapt to the evolving landscape of education in the wake of COVID-19.
