Kingy think of the sequence for a typical training circuit.
1. Full power (2500 rpm ish) for take off and climbout.
2. Reduce power to 2300 rpm (ish) for the downwind
3. Reduce power to 1900 rpm (ish) to attain Vfe
4. Adjust power on base to reach the runway
5. Power off for landing
6. Taxi in at around 1000rpm
All the changes are relatively gradual and the power and temps have a chance to stabilise between changes. This is why a good flying school should realise the TBO on their engines.
As far as I am aware, hotrods like Bonanzas etc need a bit of decent speed management when coming out of the cruise to join the circuit. It's not just slowing down in time, it has to be done in a manner that doesn't over cool the engine.