Ofsted inspectors check on Wigan primary school in remote visit

Ofsted rated Abram Bryn Gates Primary School as “requires improvement” after a visit in March last year, the second consecutive time it had received that mark.

A remote monitoring inspection has now been carried out to see how the school is operating.

In a letter to headteacher Gillian Talbot, inspector Elizabeth Stevens wrote: “Having considered all the evidence and taking into account the impact of Covid-19 on the school, I am of the opinion that at this time: leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action to provide education in the current circumstances.”

When the inspection was carried out, around half of all pupils were being taught at home due to the lockdown.

Almost all vulnerable children and around half of the pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) were being educated in school.

A “small proportion” of staff were absent due to coronavirus, but there were no significant issues.

The inspector reported a new curriculum was being rolled out when the first lockdown was imposed last year and this was still a “priority”, with teachers providing all pupils with an “effective education”.

Subject leaders had “carefully improved” curriculum plans and identified precisely what they wanted pupils to learn.

Detailed checks were carried out on pupils’ learning in English and maths, with systems being developed in other subjects.

Reading was a “priority”, with phonics taught daily, teachers spending more time sharing books and stories, and support for those who fell behind.

Teachers made sure younger pupils read books matching their ability, but this was not always the case for older children.

Action was taken to ensure all pupils working remotely accessed daily teaching, with teachers sharing their expectations with parents, though engagement was still low in some age groups.

Staff were said to know families “well” and checked on pupils with phone calls and visits.

The special educational needs co-ordinator planned extra support for pupils at school and home to suit their needs and worked closely with other professionals.

Ofsted said the local authority provided “a good range of challenge and support” for the Lily Lane school.

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