Templefield Lower School

Overview

Templefield Lower School is described as a “happy, calm and purposeful place” where pupils enjoy positive relationships with staff and peers. The inspection confirms that the school continues to be good, with leaders providing a broad curriculum and effective support for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.

Strengths

• Pupils are encouraged to make “right behaviour choices” and treat one another with respect, with bullying reported as rare.
• Reading is taught well through a “well-structured phonics and reading programme,” helping pupils develop accuracy and a love of books.
• The curriculum is carefully planned so pupils build understanding in “small steps,” with regular opportunities to recap knowledge, particularly in mathematics.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive effective support and access the same curriculum as their peers.
• Early years children are “well prepared for the next stage of their education,” with staff seizing opportunities to inspire learning.

Areas to improve

• Some subject leaders lack the knowledge to check curriculum effectiveness; they require training to monitor how well staff deliver plans and pupils build knowledge.
• Newer governors lack the knowledge to understand the impact of leaders’ actions; they need training to hold leaders fully to account.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of care,” regular staff training, and detailed records ensuring adults are suitable to work with children.