The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. You provide strong leadership for the school. You have systematically improved each area of the school’s work over the last five years. You provide training and encouragement for staff to develop their skills, using a local network of schools very effectively. Consequently, the school is now a vibrant community with committed and well-motivated staff. Middle leaders and senior leaders form strong, cohesive teams which are focused on continually improving teaching and learning. You have high expectations of teachers, and you underpin this with support and enthusiasm. Many teachers and pupils comment that the school is a positive place to work and learn because you lead by example. You ensure that pupils are given many opportunities to take on responsibility. Pupils respond with great eagerness, and this makes a real difference to school life. Children settle quickly and learn well in the early years. The proportion of children who attain a good level of development is consistently above the national average. In key stage 1, teaching is effective and pupils are given the support they need to succeed. Pupils’ attainment at the end of Year 2 is above average. Teachers ensure that pupils are given a wide variety of curriculum experiences in key stage 2. For example, teaching about digital technologies is particularly strong, and this leads to pupils producing short films for ‘Stanbridge TV’. Pupils’ progress in reading and writing is around the national average. However, pupils’ progress in mathematics dipped last year and was below average. At the previous inspection, you were asked to increase the level of challenge for the most able pupils. You have done this. The most able pupils now have access to a wide range of challenging activities within the curriculum and through lunchtime and after-school clubs. Visiting experts regularly provide ‘masterclasses’ in art, photography, cookery and other creative subjects. The proportion of pupils going beyond the expected standards in key stages 1 and 2 is greater than that seen nationally. Pupils’ attainment in the Year 1 phonics screening check has been strong historically. However, last year the proportion of pupils reaching the required level of skill was below previous results. You have improved phonics teaching, with some success, but you acknowledge that further work is necessary. Disadvantaged pupils’ progress is one of your targets for improvement. Although these pupils’ progress is broadly average, you are ambitious to see them make greater progress and so attain higher outcomes by the end of Year 6. The rate of attendance for some groups of pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils, has been below average in the recent past. You have taken action to address this and, as a result, pupils’ attendance has improved. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. The vast majority of parents would recommend it to others. Safeguarding is effective. Along with governors, you give safeguarding a high profile and ensure that policy and practice in the school are in line with statutory requirements. You ensure that thorough vetting procedures are followed for all adults that work in the school. These procedures are regularly checked by governors. Staff are confident about what actions to take if they have any concerns about a child’s safety or well-being because you use your expertise well to provide effective training. You work effectively with other agencies, making timely referrals when the need arises. You are tenacious in following up these referrals if you are not satisfied with the response you receive. Records of these referrals, and subsequent actions, are high quality. Your curriculum helps pupils understand and appreciate potential risks to their safety, including online risks. Pupils feel safe and well cared for. Pupils report that there is very little bullying or name-calling at school. They are adamant that the school is a welcoming place for pupils from all backgrounds. A very large majority of parents who responded to Parent View believe that the school keeps pupils safe. Inspection findings The chair of the governing body was appointed in September 2017. She demonstrates a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. Although the membership of the governing body has changed completely over the last five years, the expertise in each role has been passed on securely.