Templeton School were delighted recently to be awarded BLUE status resulting from a Safeguarding and Pupil Voice audit conducted by Cheryl Loughlin, Safeguarding in Education Manager and Kathy Young-Powell, Challenge Adviser for Participation and Rights, both representatives of Pembrokeshire County Council.

During the day, the visitors scrutinised school documents, held meetings with the School Council and other pupil representatives and had a tour around the school. The aim of the inspection was to assess the school's performance in terms of safeguarding and in creating a culture in which children feel cared for, valued and in which they have a strong voice in the development of their school. ]The role of the Class and School Councils and the development of Pupil Voice were strong elements in the audit.

The school was previously given an AMBER rating which warranted a revisit. Since September, the new management team from Tavernspite School has taken over the leadership of the school in a federation arrangement. Since then some significant improvements have been evident and the whole school community, children, staff, parents, friends and governors have worked extremely hard.

To reach BLUE status is an incredible achievement. It is the highest level possible and means that the school demonstrates outstanding and innovative practice in safeguarding and pupil voice. It is considered sector leading in these areas and that other schools should learn from their processes and procedures.

Headteacher Kevin Phelps said: "We were hoping at least to achieve a GREEN status taking the school out of AMBER and setting us up for further developments in the future. However, to receive the BLUE rating is a massive pat on the back for the whole of Templeton SchooI community who have all worked so hard. It is a wonderful school and everyone fully deserves this credit."

The report commented on the proactive approach from the new leadership to improving safeguarding and pupil voice at both a strategic and operational level and the calm, welcoming and ordered ethos throughout the school, with pupils keen to talk about their school and how they felt happy and safe. It was felt that all pupils had a chance to have a say and are included in the decision-making process and that the School Council works very proactively to make informed and democratic decisions and have even started writing their own policies such as the 'Playground Supervision Policy.'

Link governor for Pupil Participation, Mrs. Teresa Ambrose, and Mrs. Sarah Arthur agreed that: "The School Council have made an excellent contribution to the improvement and development of Pupil Voice in the school. They are a very involved and hard working group, with a fantastic ability in making informed decisions. They certainly deserve the recognition they have received."