Despite the school experiencing recurrent changes in leadership, the good quality of education in the school has been maintained since the last inspection. Governors have now secured the leadership of the school. Their actions have been welcomed by parents to ensure that the school continues to thrive. Since your arrival, you have quickly galvanised the team, making sure that the quality of education that pupils receive is the best that it can be. You have the support of your staff, who share your vision and aspirations for the school. Governors describe you as ‘measured, fair and determined’. They are confident that under your leadership the school will continue to blossom. Leaders know the school and its pupils very well. You are completely aware of the areas that require improvement, such as boys’ writing, and of the need to ensure that teachers’ expectations of pupils’ work are set at the same high standard seen in their English work. Together, you have set about tackling these areas with a sense of urgency. Governors are also fully aware of what needs to improve. However, they are not sufficiently rigorous in holding leaders to account for the quality of education that pupils receive. Pupils in most year groups make good progress as they move through the school, especially in writing and mathematics. This is because they are taught well by teachers who use their strong subject knowledge to prepare work that excites and stimulates them. Consequently, pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to their work, are curious and want to get better. Pupils behave well in lessons and during breaktimes and lunchtimes. They are polite and respectful to staff and each other. Pupils talk positively about their school experience. They describe how they enjoy school as ‘teachers are fantastic and make learning fun’. As a result, they attend school regularly and make strong progress. Most parents who submitted comments either through conversation, letter or via the online inspection questionnaire are positive about the quality of education and care that their children receive. However, some parents comment that they would welcome better communication between home and school. Nevertheless, many parents are complimentary about the school, typical comments describing how The Croft is ‘a wonderful village school, children are obviously joyful to go in, many skip in’ and ‘The Croft is a fabulous primary school, a real asset to both the pupils and the local community’. At the beginning of the inspection, we agreed on the key lines of enquiry to be considered during the day. These included how the school ensures that pupils are safe, how effective leaders are, including subject leaders, in securing good progress for pupils and the effectiveness of leadership in the early years provision. These key lines of enquiry are considered below. Safeguarding is effective. You ensure that all safeguarding arrangements are fit for purpose. Records are detailed and of high quality. The school’s policies and procedures take account of the latest statutory guidance, which is adhered to by staff. Leaders work closely with external agencies and decisive action is taken when concerns arise. You and the governing body ensure that staff receive high-quality training. For example, all staff have received training to identify potential child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation. Consequently, staff can quickly spot any concerns and take action with confidence. You and your governors fully understand the importance of recruiting staff safely. Together, you ensure that all staff are carefully vetted prior to commencing employment. Pupils explain with confidence how they can share with an adult any concerns or worries they may have. They feel safe and describe how the school is a fun and happy place to be. Pupils have a secure understanding of the importance of keeping safe. For example, they understand how to keep safe when using mobile phones or the internet and know what to do if they have concerns. Parents speak positively about the safety of their children in school, describing that when they have raised concerns, they have been tackled quickly. Nevertheless, the school is not complacent and is aware of the need to remain vigilant to ensure that pupils are kept safe.