Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “polite and well-mannered” and “eager to learn.” Leaders have designed a “clear and coherent curriculum” that helps pupils secure knowledge successfully, supported by staff who share “consistently high expectations” for behaviour. The school is characterised as a “calm and orderly place” where children feel safe and valued.

Strengths

• Staff skilfully introduce children to new vocabulary through play, ensuring early years communication and literacy development is effective.
• Pupils build reading fluency and accuracy effectively through regular phonics practice, with teachers quickly identifying those needing extra help.
• The curriculum is broken down into “small, achievable steps,” helping pupils, including those with special educational needs, remember essential knowledge.
• Leaders actively support staff well-being, ensuring staff feel “valued and supported” to manage their workload.
• Pupils develop strong personal development skills, learning about diverse lives and becoming “responsible members of their school community.”

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment sufficiently to reflect on and adapt the curriculum, meaning gaps in pupils’ knowledge are not always closed quickly.
• The role of subject leaders is less well developed in some areas, with some lacking the knowledge and skills required to ensure staff deliver the curriculum effectively.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with leaders completing necessary checks, staff receiving appropriate training, and concerns being shared and acted upon in a timely manner.