Therfield First School

Overview

Therfield First School is a small primary institution where pupils thrive within a supportive environment described as having a ‘family feel’. The report highlights that kind and caring relationships are central to the school, ensuring children feel safe to learn and play. Leaders and staff share a strong ambition for high standards, delivering a broad and rich curriculum that fosters enthusiasm for learning from the early years through to Year 4.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate excellent personal development, showing tolerance, resilience, and an understanding of diversity through activities like the GAP project and cultural opportunities.
• Reading is prioritised effectively, with a well-thought-out phonics curriculum and enticing reading spaces that encourage an ‘avid interest’ in books among all age groups.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are ‘well supported’, feeling included and valued while achieving well alongside their peers.
• Behaviour is consistently good, with lessons described as calm and pupils adhering to well-established routines and the school behaviour code.
• Staff expertise allows them to introduce new concepts clearly and check learning frequently, helping pupils successfully build on prior knowledge in most subjects.

Areas to improve

• In a few foundation subjects, the curriculum does not yet clearly set out the specific vocabulary and knowledge pupils should learn, preventing teachers from precisely checking retention and pinpointing next steps.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.