Ofsted conducted a remote visit to Marlborough St Mary’s Church of England Primary School on November 19, 2020, to assess the school's response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit was part of a broader initiative to understand how schools are managing the return to full education after an extended period of disruption. The visit was not an inspection, and no graded judgments were made. Instead, it focused on gathering information about the school's operations and the impact of the pandemic on students' learning.
During the visit, discussions were held with the headteacher and the deputy headteacher, but no direct interactions with pupils took place. The context of the visit was shaped by the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, which had led to significant changes in how education was delivered. Approximately one-third of the pupils had been required to work from home at some point since the start of the term, primarily due to waiting for COVID-19 test results.
The school has maintained its full curriculum, but assessments indicated that some pupils had missed learning opportunities due to the pandemic. To address these gaps, the school has implemented catch-up sessions for affected students, with the expectation that all pupils will return to their usual curriculum by the summer of 2021. Teachers have identified specific areas where pupils are struggling, particularly in English and mathematics, and additional support has been planned to help these students.
Younger pupils have shown gaps in their phonics knowledge, prompting the school to provide extra assistance to help them learn their letters and sounds. Staff are also focusing on matching reading materials to pupils' individual starting points to enhance their reading skills. All pupils are now engaged in daily reading activities, with some receiving one-on-one sessions to improve their comprehension abilities. Teachers are encouraging pupils to explore texts and answer related questions to foster a deeper understanding of the material.
The return to school has revealed that many pupils need support in recalling number facts and solving mathematical problems. Teachers are providing additional help to these students to reinforce their skills. The school is also emphasizing outdoor learning across various subjects, which has included practical activities such as Year 3 pupils exploring historical building techniques using natural materials.
Remote education has been a key component of the school's strategy during the pandemic. The school has utilized various methods to deliver remote learning, including email, the school website, and paper copies sent home. Teachers have created instructional videos and provided links to educational resources to support pupils' learning at home. In instances where pupils have had to study from home, live lessons have been streamed, allowing for real-time engagement with the curriculum.
The insights gained from this visit will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, helping to inform future educational policies. The school has demonstrated a proactive approach in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic, ensuring that pupils receive the necessary support to continue their education effectively. The findings from this visit did not reveal any significant concerns, indicating that the school is managing the situation well and is committed to the educational progress of its pupils. The information shared during this visit will be valuable in shaping the future direction of educational practices in response to the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic.
