Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary Academy in Parkfields, Wolverhampton, was one of the first schools in the country to have one of the new, 2 day, virtual Ofsted inspections earlier this year.
Inspectors reviewed all aspects of the school’s curriculum, support for vulnerable pupils and remote learning offer.
The school was rated inadequate in March 2020 but inspectors found that, since taking up her post in August, Acting Principal Stacy McHale has "wasted no time in reviewing and redesigning the school’s curriculum" with the aim of creating a "curriculum that builds knowledge, skills and vocabulary over time".
Initially, this has focused on key subjects including English and mathematics and actions are in place to look at other subjects in due course.
Inspectors found teachers have made phonics a priority for Reception and Key Stage pupils, while the St Francis and St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Company and the City of Wolverhampton Council are supporting the school well in its improvement journey.
Stacy McHale, Acting Principal, said: "We are rapidly improving the standards and education at St Teresa's Catholic Primary Academy.
"I am very proud of the children, parents and staff who have worked hard each week on an extensive range of remote learning activities, assemblies and opportunities for virtual fun, which is reflected in the inspectors' report.
"Around 50 pupils attended St Teresa’s each day during the latest national lockdown, and we are delighted to welcome the pupils who have been completing remote education at home back to school this week.
"I am looking forward to sharing more and more positive inspection reports with our families as the academy goes from strength to strength."
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "I would like to pass on my congratulations to leaders, staff, pupils and parents at St Teresa’s Catholic Primary Academy for the good work they are doing to improve.
"Our Education Excellence Team has been supporting the school, in partnership with the academy company, and it is pleasing to see that the ongoing work to review and redesign the curriculum was successfully transferred to a remote offer for pupils during the recent lockdown.
"We are fully committed to supporting the school as it moves forward and will be working alongside Ofsted as it continues to receive termly monitoring visits.”
Toni Ellis, CEO of the St Francis and St Clare Catholic MAC, added: “We are thankful for the dedication and progress being made by senior leaders, staff and pupils to rapidly improve the educational provision for our pupils at St Teresa’s Catholic Primary Academy.
“The Multi Academy Company has a committed and innovative family of colleagues who have collaborated throughout this period of time to remain focused on school improvement and the development of pupils’ growth, purpose and wholeness during the challenges of recent months.”
