School Improvement Priorities 26/27

Every year, all schools choose specific areas that they would like to develop and focus on. Following a school self-evaluation, along with feedback from parents, carers, children and staff, we have decided on the following school development priorities for this academic year:

1. All children succeeding

National attainment data shows that not all children are achieving as well as they could in UK schools. There remains a persistent gap between the proportion of children from certain groups reaching the expected standard and that of their peers.

While we recognise that academic learning can be more challenging for some children than others for a range of reasons, we want every child to make strong progress. This means closely monitoring their knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and providing the adaptations, support and interventions needed to help them overcome any barriers to learning.

At Telferscot, teaching staff and the leadership team will continue to monitor the academic progress of all children closely. This term, pupils across the school will complete baseline assessments to help us understand their current knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and identify any gaps in learning. The information gathered will inform teachers' planning, help us identify who may need additional support in class, and determine whether any targeted interventions are required.

However, academic attainment is not the only measure of success. We want every child to develop their individual interests and talents, and we will continue to explore ways to nurture these throughout the year. They may be a keen historian, a talented artist, a creative designer, a skilled sportsperson, or have strengths in countless other areas. Beyond the curriculum, children can also take on leadership roles such as Social Justice Champion, Eco Leader or School Councillor.

Every Telferscot child should have a passion or interest that helps them feel connected to school life. We are committed to offering a wide range of opportunities that spark curiosity, enthusiasm and engagement. Where children have yet to discover a particular interest, we will work with them to find activities and experiences that inspire them. Above all, we want our children to enjoy school and develop a lifelong love of learning.

We believe that success is built on ambition, intrinsic motivation and a sense of purpose. By helping children learn about the wider world and exposing them to a range of future career pathways, we want them to understand the relevance of their education and develop the drive to achieve their goals. We will continue to strengthen our provision by introducing children to a diverse range of role models, experiences and opportunities that inspire and broaden horizons.

For children to succeed, they must first feel positive about themselves. Our first month of the academic year is focused on identity, self-belief and celebrating individuality. Rather than concentrating on what they cannot yet do, we encourage children to recognise and celebrate what they can do, take pride in their heritage, beliefs and strengths, and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

We want our children to be confident, to know that their voice matters, and to feel empowered to share their views and opinions. Through creative opportunities, performances, leadership roles and meaningful discussions, we will continue to give children opportunities to develop confidence and self-expression.

Our mission is to ensure that when children leave Telferscot, they are fully prepared for the next stage of their education. We want them to leave with a strong foundation in the core curriculum, a clear understanding of who they are, a sense of what they want to achieve, and excitement about the opportunities and challenges ahead. We will continue to develop our Year 6 Life Skills programme to ensure pupils make the best possible transition to Key Stage 3 and are equipped for a successful future.

2. A SEND provision that works for all

It is widely recognised that the number of children identified with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has risen significantly in recent years. There has also been a substantial increase in the number of Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans being issued, with further growth predicted over the coming years. As a result, schools and local authorities are facing increasing challenges in meeting this level of need, particularly given the pressures on funding, specialist services and resources.

Earlier this year, the Government published its SEND Reform White Paper, outlining a number of proposed changes to the way SEND provision operates nationally. At the same time, the Local Authority has been developing its offer to schools, and we look forward to learning more about these developments in the coming months.

Whatever changes are introduced, we hope they will:

• Ensure schools receive sufficient funding to meet the needs of children effectively.
• Provide schools with timely access to specialist expertise and support.
• Make the system easier for parents and carers to understand and navigate.
• Ensure that all children receive the provision they need to succeed and thrive.

Telferscot has always been a highly inclusive school, welcoming and supporting children with a wide range of needs. We believe in true inclusion: children learning, playing and growing alongside their peers, as valued and active members of the school community.

Our staff participate in regular professional development throughout the year to strengthen their knowledge and practice, drawing on the latest research and advice from specialist practitioners. This enables us to continually develop and refine our provision to meet the evolving needs of our pupils.

As the proportion of children requiring additional support continues to grow, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to inclusion while ensuring that every child receives the support and challenge they need to flourish. Our aim is to maintain a learning environment where all children, regardless of need, can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

3. A future fit Telferscot offer

A new National Curriculum is due to be introduced in September 2028, although details remain limited at this stage. Over the next two years, our staff team will be reviewing and developing the Telferscot curriculum to ensure it meets any new statutory requirements while remaining firmly rooted in our core principles of teaching and learning. We will continue to work closely with other local primary and secondary schools, sharing our own successful practice and learning from the expertise of others.

The educational landscape is evolving, and so too are the pathways available to young people. For many years, the traditional route of GCSEs, A Levels and university was seen as the default progression pathway. Increasingly, however, there is recognition of the value of technical qualifications, vocational training and apprenticeships. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence are transforming the world of work, changing the nature of many jobs and creating new challenges and opportunities for future generations.

As educators, this requires us to think carefully about the skills our children will need to thrive in an uncertain and rapidly changing world. Alongside strong academic foundations, we must nurture the qualities that are uniquely human: creativity, curiosity, empathy, resilience, communication and critical thinking. We are committed to helping children understand the wide range of opportunities that may be available to them in the future and encouraging them to develop the confidence and ambition to pursue their aspirations.

In addition to considering our educational offer, we must also think about how our school environment can be made fit for the future. The heatwaves experienced during the early summer provided a stark reminder of the challenges posed by a changing climate. A number of schools across the country were forced to close temporarily, disrupting children's education and creating difficulties for families.

Our beautiful 120-year-old building has many strengths, but it was designed to retain heat rather than stay cool. While installing and operating air conditioning in every classroom is beyond our financial means, we need to explore practical and sustainable ways of making the school more resilient to high temperatures.

If you have expertise, experience or ideas in areas such as sustainable building design, cooling solutions, energy efficiency or climate adaptation, I would be delighted to hear from you. Schools thrive when communities come together, and your knowledge could help us create a more comfortable learning environment for future generations of Telferscot children.