Ofsted conducted a remote visit to Galleywall Primary School on November 5, 2020, to assess the school's response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This visit was part of a broader initiative by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills to understand how schools are managing the return to full education after an extended period of disruption. The 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, it focused on discussions with the school's leadership team regarding their actions since the full reopening of schools in September 2020.
During the visit, the inspectors noted that Galleywall Primary School had fully reopened to all pupils on September 7, 2020, and attendance levels were in line with the school's typical figures for this time of year. The leadership team had effectively communicated expectations around attendance to parents, ensuring clarity and support for families. The school was delivering the full curriculum across all subjects, with additional time allocated to key areas such as phonics, physical education, and personal, social, and health education.
The school had implemented measures to assess pupils' knowledge in phonics and mathematics. Tailored support was provided to help students relearn letter sounds they may have forgotten, and teachers identified gaps in pupils' understanding of times tables. In response, the school increased the daily time allocated for mathematics instruction. Furthermore, the leadership team placed a strong emphasis on supporting pupils' mental health and well-being, adapting lesson plans to help students develop resilience and coping strategies in light of the challenges they faced.
Galleywall Primary School also utilized a digital learning platform to support pupils who were unable to attend school. This platform allowed students to access pre-recorded lessons and complete activities set by their teachers, ensuring continuity in learning despite any absences. The visit highlighted the school's proactive approach to addressing the educational and emotional needs of its pupils during a challenging period.
The information gathered during this visit will contribute to Ofsted's national reporting, providing insights to the government and the education sector about how schools are managing the return to full education. The inspectors did not identify any significant concerns during their discussions with the school's leadership team, indicating that the school was effectively navigating the complexities of the current educational landscape.
Overall, the visit underscored the commitment of Galleywall Primary School to maintain high educational standards and support the well-being of its students during the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. The leadership team's efforts to communicate with parents, assess and support pupils' learning, and prioritize mental health were noted as positive steps in ensuring that all students could thrive in a safe and supportive environment. The findings from this visit will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the chair of the board of trustees and the regional schools commissioner, and will be published on the Ofsted website for public access.
