Setting

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T 0300 123 1231 www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Clare Martin Principal Bradford Girls’ Grammar School Squire Lane Bradford West Yorkshire BD9 6RB

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Ofsted visit to Bradford Girls’ Grammar School

Following my visit with Tim Scargill-Knight, Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), to your school on 6 October 2020, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to confirm the visit’s findings. Thank you for the time you made available to discuss your actions since September 2020, when the government expected all schools to open fully to all pupils.

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Ofsted visit to Bradford Girls’ Grammar School

This visit was conducted under section 8 of the Education Act 2005 (as amended) and in accordance with Ofsted’s published procedures for visiting schools while routine inspections are temporarily suspended.

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Ofsted visit to Bradford Girls’ Grammar School

Ofsted’s visits to schools during the autumn term are not inspections. We are not giving graded judgements. We did not undertake the usual range of inspection activities and were unable to check other sources of evidence, such as visits to lessons or looking at pupils’ work. The content of this letter gives an overview of our discussions about what has happened in your school this term.

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Ofsted visit to Bradford Girls’ Grammar School

During the visit, we spoke to you, the senior leadership team and the senior leader responsible for safeguarding. We did not speak to pupils because of the protective measures in place.

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Context

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s education system is managing the return to full education for pupils, following an extended break in formal schooling due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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Context

In undertaking this focused work, HMI are visiting a broad range of schools. HMI will visit a sample of:

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Context

 approximately 1,200 schools across all Ofsted grades (outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate)  maintained schools, academies and free schools, special schools and centres of alternative provision, including those in cities, and coastal, town or rural communities.

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Context

The information from this visit will feed into Ofsted’s national reporting so that the insights can be shared with the government and the education sector. We did not find any significant concerns during the visit. In such a case, an inspection report would be published on our website and available to parents and carers.

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Context

We did not consider your response to COVID-19 during the spring and summer terms 2020, when the school was not open to all pupils.

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From this visit, inspectors noted that:

 You opened for pupils in the primary phase and Years 7, 11 and 13 on 7 September 2020. Pupils in Years 8 to 10 returned on 8 September 2020. Children in Reception attended half days for the first two weeks of term.  Pupils’ attendance is below their typical attendance at this time of year. Class or year-group ‘bubbles’ in Years 4, 8 and 9 have self-isolated.  You told us that pupils are studying their usual subjects in the curriculum. This includes pupils who are learning at home.  You assessed Year 1 pupils’ starting points in early reading. You found gaps in some pupils’ phonics knowledge. These pupils are receiving extra phonics sessions now.  You explained that teachers found gaps in primary pupils’ mathematical knowledge and skills. You explained that teachers will provide extra opportunities for pupils to explore shape, space and measure to address these.  Following the period when schools were only open to some pupils due to

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From this visit, inspectors noted that:

COVID-19 restrictions, teachers assessed pupils’ learning in all subjects. Subject leaders have re-ordered the content of the curriculum to address gaps in pupils’ learning.  Pupils have access to all learning resources when they are absent but able to work at home. You explained that you have adapted remote learning methods and resources for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Thank you again for contributing to this important national work. The views and experiences you have shared will help to inform future policy.

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From this visit, inspectors noted that:

I am copying this letter to the chair of the governing body, the regional schools commissioner and the director of children’s services for Bradford. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

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