Tavernspite and Templeton CP Schools' excellent Estyn inspection

Western Telegraph

25-05-2025

Tavernspite and Templeton CP Schools joined together as Pembrokeshire's first school federation in 2014.
They share one governing body and leadership team and were visited in the same week in March by Estyn, the Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales.
Their reports from the inspection are identical, highlighting the effective collaboration between the two schools.
Headteacher Kevin Phelps said that the schools' staff, parents, governors and pupils were 'overwhelmed' by the number of excellent practices identified by Estyn.
The many strengths include leadership, development of literacy, Welsh and digital skills, standards in numeracy, support for pupils with additional learning needs, development of physical and emotional well-being, staff well-being and excellent pupil behaviour.
Headteacher Kevin Phelps is pictured with Templeton pupils. The school became federated with Tavernspite CP School in 2014. (Image: Templeton CP School) Estyn reported: 'The federation leadership drives a highly effective collaboration that has a significantly positive impact on the lives of pupils, staff and parents of both schools.
'Teachers and support staff create a highly inclusive learning environment, where pupils have high levels of confidence and extremely positive attitudes to their learning, and teachers use highly effective questioning to deepen and extend pupils' learning.'
A full copy of the reports is available from the Estyn website or by contacting the schools directly.
Estyn also praised the schools' contribution to the development of pupils' physical and emotional well-being. They wrote that pupils' behaviour is consistently excellent and there is a tangible sense of belonging, ensuring pupils feel safe, valued and supported, both in their learning and well-being'
Head teacher Mr Phelps said: 'We are absolutely delighted with the Estyn reports.
"Although undoubtedly a tough week of intense scrutiny, the Estyn inspectors were fair, extremely rigorous and accurate in their findings.
"We are very pleased that the inspectors recognised the many strengths of both Tavernspite and Templeton Schools. The inspection couldn't have gone much better, to be honest.
"In terms of standards, to have literacy, numeracy, digital skills and Welsh recognised as great strengths was a fantastic achievement.
"The success of the schools is the result of a tremendous amount of commitment, hard work and dedication from staff, parents, governors, the local community, and, of course, the children over a very long period.
"It is an incredible achieve, and both school communities should feel very proud of what they have achieved."
Both schools were awarded two 'Spotlights', these are areas that are recognised as being highly effective practice, worthy of sharing with other schools. The spotlights identified were for 'the development of literacy skills' and 'for developing a strong and effective culture of impactful professional learning'