The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the previous inspection. I was impressed by the learning environment that you and your staff have created, with attractive displays and celebration of pupils’ work and achievements. A sense of order and routine is apparent. Under your calm and reflective leadership, you have continued to look for ways to improve the school. Supported well by your long-serving deputy headteacher, you are dedicated to ensuring that pupils succeed. One parent summed up the view of many: ‘I feel the school has done wonders for my three children and they have thrived in each school year.’ Governors have an accurate view of what is working well and what could be improved further still. They hold you effectively to account for the academic and welfare needs of pupils. They ensure that additional funds and resources are well spent so that vulnerable pupils receive the help and support they need. Currently, the governing body is smaller than usual due to some vacancies. Nevertheless, governors fulfil their roles and responsibilities effectively. They continue to visit the school frequently to check the accuracy of the information they receive. You have maintained the many strengths that were identified at the time of the previous inspection. Standards of attainment continue to be higher than the national average by the end of key stage 2. Many pupils leave school reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics. In 2017, the proportion of pupils who reached the expected and higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined was also above the national average. Pupils spoken with during the inspection were polite and articulate. They are keen and enthusiastic in their learning. They particularly enjoy the challenges they receive in mathematics, where they choose their own starting points in activities. Most pupils who responded to their online questionnaire agreed that they are challenged in many lessons. Pupils’ achievement in mathematics was a particular feature in 2017 at key stage 2. The proportion of pupils who made good or better progress was above that found nationally. Staff are equally proud to work at the school. Those who responded to the staff questionnaire consider that they are supported well by school leaders and provided with the relevant training they need to improve further. This is because you have an accurate view of the strengths and areas for further development in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. Children start well at Fairfields Primary School and Nursery. The early years provision is a strength. Children are happy and very well cared for in a safe and welcoming environment. From the youngest child, they enjoy the many activities that enable them to develop their skills and abilities across all areas of the early years curriculum. As a result, children make good progress over their time in Nursery and in Reception. The mark of your strong leadership is how well you keep improving and set precise goals to achieve. Your improvement plans accurately identify that you still want pupils to excel further in key stage 1, especially those who are most able and the most able disadvantaged. Safeguarding is effective. Safeguarding arrangements meet statutory expectations. You take appropriate precautions to ensure that pupils are safe at school. You have established a strong safeguarding culture by training and developing staff and governors in the most upto-date national safeguarding guidance. All parents and staff who responded to their questionnaires agreed that pupils are safe. The vast majority of parents value the high priority staff place on ensuring that their children are well looked after. One parent commented, ‘We are happy that our son feels safe, and the teachers are all very good and informative.’ Another stated, ‘Without question, staff look after my children well.’ Recording systems are fully in place for the recruitment of staff. Leaders and governors are rigorous in carrying out the necessary recruitment checks. Documents and school records are meticulously kept.