Therfield First School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 October 2023

Pupils thrive at this small school, which has a 'family feel'. Kind and caring relationships are at the heart of it. These help to ensure pupils feel safe to learn and to play. Pupils know that all adults want them to do well. Pupils enjoy their lessons where teachers 'bring learning to life'. Pupils relish the practical and fun tasks in lessons. Regular outdoor activities enable pupils to learn beyond the classroom. Pupils excitedly recall recent trips. This includes the whole school trip to a city book shop. Pupils can remember community visits. Interviewing residents helps to improve their communication and writing skills. Pupils know and follow the school behaviour code. They behave well. Pupils helped to design the activities for the outdoor play sessions. They benefit from a range of equipment at breaktimes. Pupils take an active role within their local community. They interact with different generations as part of the school's GAP project. This helps them to develop an understanding of themselves in society. Pupils develop their talents and interests in an extensive range of different activities. Examples include pottery, gardening, cookery and sport. Overwhelmingly, pupils love coming to school. One parent represented the views of many, commenting, 'They are always enthusiastic about what they are learning!'

What the school should improve

• In a few foundation subjects, the school does not sufficiently break down the knowledge and vocabulary that pupils need to know. As a result, staff cannot precisely check what pupils have remembered and pinpoint their next steps in learning. The school should identify the most important knowledge and vocabulary in these subjects, so that teachers know how well pupils are progressing through the curriculum and can accurately plan pupils' next steps in their learning.

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