The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. St Peter-in-Chains is a warm and friendly school where pupils are sociable and enthusiastic. Relationships between adults and pupils are strong and productive. Pupils come into the school keen, smiling and ready to learn. Parents and carers are very positive about all that the school provides. Those spoken with could not be happier with how their children have settled into Reception, and how they learn to read with confidence. Others spoke of the long distance they travel to bring their children to a school, they say, that provides children and families with a strong sense of community. Of the large majority who responded to Parent View, Ofsted’s online questionnaire, almost all would recommend the school to others. You provide pupils with a rich and varied curriculum. Pupils enjoy specialist teaching and learning of music. For example, children receive a good introduction to understanding music notation, rhythm and percussion, as evidenced when observing in the Reception class. Corridors display pupils’ good-quality artwork inspired by the work of Vincent Van Gogh, demonstrating pupils’ strong skills in a range of techniques that they used to recreate his painting. All staff who responded to Ofsted’s staff survey said they are proud to be a member at the school. They are determined and keen to do their best for all pupils. Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge, particularly in English and mathematics, and inspire pupils to want to learn. They capture pupils’ interests by immersing them in topics so that they can write with knowledge and confidence. For example, pupils were visited by a ‘Victorian’ headteacher who gave them an insight into Victorian school life. Pupils dressed in Victorian clothes and became involved in the experience. They spoke about the appalling way children were treated, particularly if ‘you were left handed’. This experience gave pupils a good stimulus to write at length about their day. As a result, they produced detailed and good-quality writing about the event. Leaders have made good progress in addressing areas identified in the previous inspection. You have worked successfully with external advisers to strengthen the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in mathematics and English. Published information for the last two years shows that pupils at the end of Year 2 attain above national averages in reading, writing and mathematics. A high proportion of pupils achieve at the higher standards. Most children in Reception achieve a good level of development, and a high proportion of pupils meet the expected standard in phonics at the end of Year 1. You and your leaders work well with local nursery schools to ensure that there is a smooth entry into Reception class. In addition, the school’s recent federation with the local junior school supports leaders to work together. This strengthens transition arrangements between the two schools, as well as promoting opportunities to share best practice. Safeguarding is effective. You and your staff know pupils very well. Staff are vigilant, and any concerns about pupils’ welfare are raised immediately. You have effective procedures to report and record concerns. You follow these up swiftly, as designated leader for safeguarding. The school’s check on employees and other adults who work with pupils are meticulously maintained. Employees’ files hold the relevant and mandatory information. All staff know and understand their responsibilities in terms of safeguarding pupils and have completed safeguarding training that includes protecting pupils against radicalisation. Staff, parents and pupils say that pupils are safe. In addition, staff have an awareness of the issues surrounding the County Lines campaign. Pupils are taught to stay safe when online, and the school holds workshops to raise awareness among staff, pupils and parents. Governors are fully aware of their responsibilities regarding safeguarding pupils. They routinely check the single central register and have had relevant safeguarding training that includes safer recruitment. Pupils behave exceptionally well in and out of the classroom. They are polite and respectful to adults. In lessons, pupils display positive attitudes to their learning, and engage fully when working independently. They listen carefully to adults and participate enthusiastically in class activities. Parents and staff that responded to Ofsted’s surveys said that pupils are well behaved, and that behaviour is managed effectively.