Turner Free School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 December 2022

Pupils enjoy coming to this well-managed, calm and orderly school. They feel safe and everyone treats each other respectfully. Staff know pupils well and have high expectations of them. Pupils live up to these expectations, concentrating and working hard in class. At breaktime and lunchtime, pupils socialise and behave well. They enthuse about 'family dining', where pupils organise dinner tables and sit together with staff. Bullying is not tolerated in this school community. Pupils are taught regularly about how to resolve conflicts, and they know the staff who they can talk to if they have worries. Pupils relish being part of the school council, where they can have a say on school issues. Pupils are keen to be involved in extra-curricular activities. Last year, leaders introduced the 'Turner 25'. This initiative aims to ensure that pupils complete five community-based activities each year over their time at the school. For example, pupils cleaned up the local area in a litter pick. Sports clubs are especially popular with pupils. Many attend netball and football clubs, while others enjoy an increasing range of activities, including African drumming and science clubs.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in DT and computing is not as well thought through as in other subjects. This means that pupils have gaps in their knowledge in these subjects. Leaders should ensure that they have precisely identified how pupils' learning should build over time in all subjects.
• The PE curriculum is not adapted well enough to meet the needs of some pupils. A small number of pupils with SEND do not develop their knowledge and skills as well as they could. Leaders need to ensure that teachers understand how to adapt the PE curriculum effectively.

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