NINE members of staff and a class bubble were self-isolating at a Basingstoke school when Ofsted visited last month.

Marnel Junior School, in Shetland Road, Popley, was chosen as one of 1,200 schools across the country to be visited by the education watchdog, which will use the information from the visits to feed into its national reporting to share with the government and education sector.

Inspectors are looking at how England’s education system is managing the return to full education for pupils following the extended break in formal schooling during the pandemic.

Marnel was previously graded as “inadequate” by Ofsted in February this year. 

Her Majesty’s inspector Matthew Newberry reported: “We did not find any significant concerns during the visit.”

He found pupils’ attendance was above what it was at this point last year. One Year 3 class bubble was self-isolating, along with nine members of staff.

He said: “Pupils are currently studying all subjects of the national curriculum. Teachers have adjusted their plans, to help pupils catch up on aspects of subjects missed during the period when schools were only open to some children due to Covid-19 restrictions.”

The school expects to return to its full curriculum by the summer next year.

Mr Newberry said: “You are prioritising reading across the school. Teachers have introduced daily phonics lessons for pupils in Years 3 and 4. Checks have been made on pupils’ reading and comprehension skills, and additional support is being provided for those who need it.”

He thanked acting headteacher Tijhs Jordan for contributing to “this important national work”, adding: “The views and experiences you have shared will help to inform future policy.”