Farnley Tyas Church of England Voluntary Controlled First School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The warm and respectful relationships between staff and pupils are a great strength of Farnley Tyas First School. Pupils, including children in the early years, love attending this small, friendly school.

Pupils know how to be good friends, and older pupils clearly enjoy playing with and supporting their younger 'buddies'.

Pupils are proud of their school and feel safe there. Leaders have successfully created a culture throughout the school in which equality is championed and diversity celebrated.

They have the highest expectations of pupils' behaviour. Pupils live up to these expectations impressively. Pupils understand what bullying is and say that bullying... is simply not a problem in their school.

Leaders have high ambitions for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These ambitions are summed up in the school's motto: 'Working together to be the best we can be'. These words are apt.

Pupils love to learn, work extremely well together and take pride in their work. They typically achieve well. The curriculum is broad and interesting.

Leaders enhance the curriculum well with a wide range of out-of-school activities and school trips. Pupils spoke positively about these to the inspectors.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has prioritised curriculum development.

Subject curriculums, including in early years, are clear and well structured. Leaders have set out clearly the subject-specific content and vocabulary that they want pupils to learn. Leaders' work to strengthen the curriculum has ensured that pupils now typically know and remember more.

Curriculum content is broad and ambitious. Staff use assessment strategies well to check on pupils' knowledge and understanding. However, in a small number of lessons, pupils' work is not aligned closely with the curriculum that leaders have planned.

The school has a sharp focus on reading. By the time they leave the school at the end of Year 5, most pupils are keen and confident readers. They have a good knowledge of different authors and types of books.

Pupils read both for pleasure and to find information. Their reading journey begins from the start of Reception.

The teaching of phonics is organised well.

Leaders have made sure that staff are trained and are knowledgeable about developing early reading. Staff choose learning activities carefully to help children in the early years develop their phonic knowledge and understanding. Staff make regular checks on pupils' progress with reading and phonics, so that any pupils who are struggling receive extra help.

However, at times, these pupils do not read books that are matched well to their existing phonic knowledge. This means that they do not make the accelerated progress that they need to catch up with their peers.Farnley Tyas is an inclusive school.

Pupils with SEND take part in every aspect of school life and achieve well. Leaders source appropriate specialist support to help meet pupils' needs. Teachers make suitable adaptations for pupils who need additional support.

This helps pupils to access learning with other pupils. In the early years, staff ensure that provision, both inside and out, helps all children to access the different areas of learning.

Pupils' behaviour around school is first rate.

The school is an extremely happy and harmonious place. Attendance levels are high and leaders' efforts have ensured that persistent absenteeism is rare. In the early years, children come together from many different pre-school settings.

They quickly learn to play and share with each other. Throughout school, attitudes to learning are excellent. Older pupils are proud to be given positions of responsibility, such as being school councillors.

The buddy system helps to ensure that older and younger pupils mix well together throughout the day.

The school provides pupils with a broad range of activities and opportunities beyond the classroom. Pupils, including those with SEND, join in with different extra-curricular activities.

These include playing different sports and taking part in residential trips and musical performances. Pupils develop a strong awareness of tolerance and respect. They learn about different cultures and religions, preparing them well for life in modern Britain.

Staff encourage pupils to think about others. Pupils enjoy being able to help others, including by raising money for charity.

Governors have a fair and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for further development.

They fulfil their statutory duties effectively. Governors provide support and challenge and recognise the positive impact that new leadership has had on the school. Staff are highly positive about working in the school.

They are particularly appreciative of the degree of care that leaders show for their workload and well-being. Parents are exceptionally positive about the school and, without exception, would recommend it to other parents.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a small number of subjects and lessons, teachers are not delivering the curriculum consistently in line with leaders' intentions. This means that some pupils do not learn all that they are intended to. Leaders should ensure that subject leaders check that the planned curriculum is being taught effectively, so that pupils build up their knowledge and understanding over time.

• Pupils who need additional support with their reading do not read books that are matched well to the sounds that they know. This means that the additional support that staff provide is not helping these pupils to make the accelerated progress they need. Leaders should ensure that the books pupils read enable them to develop their reading confidence and fluency, so that they catch up quickly.