Education
Ofsted ‘virtually’ inspect primaries By Nicci Brown Two primary schools in North Dorset are among the first in the area to have undergone a ‘remote’ autumn inspection by Ofsted on how they have coped during the covid restrictions since the summer. Durweston Primary and Stower Provost, which both had a full inspection in 2019 and were found to require improvement, were ‘visited’ on December 1 and November 26 respectively by Ofsted inspectors, who spoke with staff about their experience. Headteachers Nicola Brooke at Durweston and James Stanford at Stower Provost were told the inspection contributed to important national work on how the education system was managing the return to education following the extended break in formal
schooling last spring. Around 1,200 schools across all Ofsted grades, types and locations are being visited so that their shared views and experiences shared can be shared with government and the education sector to help to inform future policy. In both cases it was noted that since September 2020 a number of pupils had had to spend some time working at home. No significant concerns were found at Durweston, where teachers had focused at the start of term on the personal and social aspects of the curriculum to enable pupils to settle back into school. Since then, pupils had been studying all the subjects they usually would, but with modifications in some areas. Some in Years 1 and 2 had gaps in their early reading skills, and were given extra
help, spending more time reading in class. In mathematics, teachers emphasised those areas of the curriculum that pupils are not as confident in, such as shape, space and geometry, and some part of other subjects were modified, for example by replacing rugby with orienteering in physical education. Leaders had drawn up plans to provide remote education for a number of individual pupils – a sixth of the total – who needed to work from home. No class ‘bubbles’ had been sent home, but if they were, teachers would set work online as close as possible to what they would have been doing in class. At Stower Provost, pupils studied the full curriculum and staff watched for gaps in pupils’ knowledge. Some, particularly in Year 2, had
forgotten certain elements of phonic knowledge that they had previously grasped, and greater emphasis was placed on developing pupils’ reading skills. In mathematics some younger pupils had lost confidence in their understanding of place value and addition and subtraction methods, so were given extra support, and in subjects such as history, as each unit was taught, staff used quizzes to identify what pupils had remembered, and continued to check as the planned curriculum was covered. The inspectors were told that a system was being developed to provide remote education in the future. Staff were receiving training and those studying at home would be set work as close as possible to usual school activities.
Letters
Jabs joy Someone should be complimented on the planning and superb organisation that went on for the covid-19 jabs at Digby Hall in Sherborne. The attention, consideration and kindness given by everyone is once again the hallmark of the NHS. Well done and thank you. Mr and Mrs Dick Berry Sherborne n I write to thank all involved with the vaccination programme in Sherborne. As one of the lucky ones I received my first jab today at the Digby Hall. From start to finish the procedure was efficient, friendly and fast. All eventualities were covered. I
left having been given a date for the second vaccination and with a magic sticker! My sincere thanks to all involved in this mammoth task. Stay well and safe. Happy 2021 to all. Elaine Edmonds, Sherborne n Yesterday our vaccination day arrived. We had to go to the medical centre in Sturminster Newton. The experience was professional, efficient, caring in every way. What I find difficult to understand is that considering the population of Gillingham and environs a similar state of the art facility cannot be built here. There seems to be ample room for more supermarkets and even a petrol station complex. Yvonne Phillips Gillingham
n I would like to say WELL DONE to The Blandford Group Practice. I attended the surgery for my first covid vaccination. It was so well organised. There were marshalls in the car park, someone inside to show you where to go. The injection was painless and we were looked after safely distanced in the waiting room for 15 minutes by a nurse then shown the way out by another marshall. I felt very safe and everyone was very helpful and friendly. THANK YOU all very much. Jenny Seare Mapperton n Through your pages, may I congratulate the entire team at the Wilton (Michael Herbert) covid vaccination centre for its incredibly well
organised operation. After taking two elderly people the 26 miles to the site, I was directed off the street into the car park entrance by wardens. Two greeters then explained the pedestrian access and advised immediate entry was fine, even though we were 15 minutes ahead of the booked appointment time. Another helper guided me to an available parking space. The vaccination process was just as efficient, the pair returned to the car both relaxed and cheerful. Finally, as we were belting up to leave, another helper came to the car and checked we were OK. Very well done to you all, and, thanks for making it so straightforward. Alan Webber Penselwood 71
