Temple Guiting Church of England School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school lives out its mission 'Everyone to thrive' in the way it thoughtfully considers pupils' experiences so they receive a broad curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to find their interest at Temple Guiting.

Leaders aim for pupils to be articulate and resilient individuals ready for the wider world. This underpins everything the school does. For example, the school commissioned a resilience audit and, as a result, pupils build each other up.

They are highly supportive and encouraging of one another.

Pupils have a thirst for learning. They live up to the very high expectations for behaviour at this warm and welcoming school.

In the lower years, pup...ils benefit from firm routines. This leads to exemplary behaviour in the upper years becoming second nature.

Pupils are inspired by the many opportunities on offer to them.

For example, in history, they learn about Brunel's designs and the way that he persevered. Pupils enjoy a wealth of clubs. Karate, cricket and football are particularly well loved.

Pupils develop a strong understanding of fundamental British values. For example, they learned about British law, prepared a case as barristers and debated. Pupils were commended by the police and the mayor of Cheltenham for their diligence.

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

Leaders have taken decisive action since the previous inspection. Central to this has been the work to develop the early reading curriculum. All staff have been trained in the programme.

Leaders check how well pupils are learning. Pupils benefit from clear routines. For example, they say and blend sounds to read the words in unison.

This helps teachers to check all pupils have understood. Any pupils who have not grasped new learning are given swift support. This helps them keep up.

Pupils practise reading books with the sounds they are confident in. Consequently, pupils learn to read quickly.

The curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced in most subjects.

In these subjects, pupils build their learning well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is because of the way knowledge is sequenced in small steps that lead towards bigger end points. Pupils articulate this learning well.

For example, in design and technology, pupils can explain how learning about cross-stitching builds on running stitches learned in lower year groups. However, in a small minority of subjects, the curriculum is not precise enough. The most essential knowledge pupils need to learn has not been considered.

This means some pupils do not remember the knowledge that is most important for their next stage.

Teachers design activities for pupils that are matched to the intended curriculum. For example, in early years, pupils develop fine motor skills and an understanding of number bonds.

They place small objects such as beads on pictures of ladybirds and make each side equate to 10. Pupils get ample opportunity to apply their knowledge when problem-solving and reasoning. This helps pupils develop a strong understanding of number.

Pupils want to come to school because they love to learn. This is demonstrated by their high attendance. Pupils behave well because they know it is the right thing to do.

This starts in the early years where children maintain concentration on their learning. Pupils support the well-being of others through their highly esteemed leadership roles. For example, they raised money and purchased new playground equipment.

Older pupils model to younger pupils how to sit as a school family at lunchtimes in their mixed-age table groups. Here, they learn skills for life. Pupils care about their local community.

For example, they raised money for the new church organ by running a craft stall.

The school's work to develop pupils beyond the academic is exceptional. Pupils have a firm appreciation of diversity.

Trips to the mosque help pupils learn about how those of other faiths respect their religious buildings. Pupils learn to sing multicultural songs and read books from other countries. They become entrepreneurial by selling the eggs the school chickens lay.

Pupils conduct a water walk around the village to collect donations of water. This raises awareness for the 'Hands Around the World' charity. Pupils understand why they do these activities and how this develops their character.

Governors know the school well. They hold leaders to account effectively. Staff feel well supported by leaders.

The way the school has engaged with support since the previous inspection is commendable. The school puts pupils at the heart of each curriculum decision.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some wider curriculum subjects, the most important knowledge pupils need to learn has not been defined. This means pupils do not build their knowledge as well as they could. The school should refine these subjects so that staff emphasise the most important learning when teaching, assessing and retrieving knowledge.