Setting

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

p.1

Annika Eadie Headteacher William Davis Primary School Wood Close Cheshire Street London E2 6ET

p.1

Ofsted visit to William Davis Primary School

Following my visit with Sophie Welch, Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), to your school on 22 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.

p.1

Ofsted visit to William Davis Primary 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.

p.1

Ofsted visit to William Davis Primary 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.

p.1

Ofsted visit to William Davis Primary School

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

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

From this visit, inspectors noted that:

 The school opened to all pupils in Years 1 to 6 on 2 September 2020, with pupils in the Reception Year joining one day later. Children in the Nursery started school gradually from 7 September 2020.  Attendance is slightly below the normal attendance for this time of year. Some parents have been anxious about sending their children to school. Leaders have worked with parents to support and reassure them.  Leaders are aiming to return all pupils to their usual range of subjects by the beginning of the spring term 2021. Currently, pupils are not taught French and religious education. Leaders have decided to use this time instead to supplement learning in English and mathematics.  School leaders have prioritised reading within the curriculum. Staff have checked pupils’ reading ability and identified the need to develop pupils’ reading skills. Leaders are also focusing on pupils’ speaking skills across the

p.2

From this visit, inspectors noted that:

range of subjects taught.  In Reception and Years 1 and 2, teachers have found that pupils are unsure of some letter sounds. Additional staff have been trained in order to increase the number of groups taught.  In mathematics, teachers have done similar checks on pupils’ knowledge and understanding. They have identified gaps in pupils’ understanding of the four operations, for example. As a result, leaders have put in place additional time for mathematics each day.  Leaders have placed a greater emphasis than previously on personal, social, health and economic education, focusing on pupils’ mental health and well- being. In other subjects, such as science, teachers have amended plans, to include additional revision and practice before new units are introduced.  Staff have received training on how to use the school’s digital learning platform. School leaders have sourced devices so that all pupils can access

p.2

From this visit, inspectors noted that:

online resources. Pupils have been using these devices in school to facilitate a transition to remote learning, should this become necessary.

p.3

From this visit, inspectors noted that:

Thank you again for contributing to this important national work. The views and experiences you have shared will help to inform future policy.

p.3

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 Tower Hamlets. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

p.3