Farnley Tyas Church of England Voluntary Controlled First School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 October 2023

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 the school should improve

• 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 School 3 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.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)