Setting

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

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Mr Nick Norman Headteacher Burleigh Primary School Blindmans Lane Cheshunt Waltham Cross Hertfordshire EN8 9DP

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Ofsted remote visit to Burleigh Primary School

Following my remote visit with Michelle Winter, Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), to your school on 12 November 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 remote visit to Burleigh 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. Following changes to government guidance and the imposition of COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown restrictions, we made this visit remotely to reduce pressure on the school.

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Ofsted remote visit to Burleigh 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.

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Ofsted remote visit to Burleigh Primary School

During the visit, we spoke to you, the senior leadership team and those responsible for safeguarding and attendance. We did not speak to pupils.

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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 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:

 Since pupils returned to school in September, one group of 30 pupils have self- isolated. Each week, around 10 pupils out of over 400 have needed to self- isolate.  Pupils are studying the same range of subjects as in previous years. To help pupils get back on track by summer 2021, leaders introduced a ‘catch-up’ curriculum in English and mathematics. While many trips and visitors to the school have been paused, some after-school sports clubs continue.  Since returning to school, teachers have assessed pupils’ reading skills. They found that pupils had not read as frequently when the school was partially closed. Leaders are supporting pupils to catch up through extra phonics lessons in Year 1 and by giving older pupils more opportunity to read in school.  In mathematics, teachers have used in-class checks to see what pupils can do. Being away from school meant that some pupils had lost their quick recall of

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From this visit, inspectors noted that:

times tables, and younger children had difficulty remembering some of their mathematical knowledge. Teachers have given more time for pupils to practise their times tables, with younger children focusing on number formation and number facts.  Leaders have been reviewing what the pupils are taught and when. For example, teachers have introduced more opportunity for pupils to practise their vocabulary by using key words in science lessons. In music, pupils continue to sing and play musical instruments such as the ukulele. Teachers in Reception are focusing on developing children’s language skills.  When the school was closed, leaders made work available to pupils on the school’s website. Since September, teachers continue to upload lessons for pupils who are self-isolating. At the time of our visit, a new digital system was being put in place. Staff are being trained in how to use the system to support

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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.

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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 Hertfordshire. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

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