Wigan primary school helps pupils catch up on reading and maths

Ince CE Primary School has allocated more time for teaching of the subjects, to allow youngsters to catch up after being away from the classroom.

Teachers’ assessments of youngsters revealed which letters and sounds they had forgotten and staff were providing extra individual help with reading.

It was also discovered there were gaps in understanding in maths, so teachers were prioritising multiplication tables for children in years three and four.

The action being taken to address these issues was reported by Ofsted inspectors during a visit to the Charles Street school.

They found that since returning after last year’s national lockdown, pupils have been studying the subjects from the school’s usual curriculum, with some changes to the content.

In RE, teachers reorganised some planned units of learning to include work pupils had missed during the restrictions.

Around half of all pupils have spent some time learning at home since the beginning of term.

Teachers provided work linked to planned lessons at school, including a mix of online learning and paper study packs, for those having to study remotely.

Inspector Tim Vaughan said he did not find “any significant concerns” during the visit.

Ofsted is not currently carrying out routine inspections, but inspectors are visiting selected schools to see how the education system is operating after the extended time away from the classroom due to the lockdown.

The information will feed into Ofsted’s national reporting and insights shared with the Government and education sector.

Several other schools have also been visited by inspectors, with Hindley High School and Lowton CE High School recently reported to be taking action to help pupils brush up on their reading skills.

Ince CE Primary School was judged to be “good” in its last full inspection, which was carried out in 2014, and was found to be at the same standard during a monitoring visit in 2018.

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