Year 4 pupil Olivia Parnell, eight, said: “All the teachers are really nice. We have a school council which helps us to change our school to make things really nice. I like my school very much.”

Saskia Levinson, nine, in Year 4, said: “It is a really nice school because all the teachers are very kind to us. If anyone gets upset they are always very understanding and we do shows at the Tivoli Theatre.”

Kristian Swann, eight, is in Year 3. He said: “The school council always plans nice stuff for us and I like the teachers. The playground is lovely and I go to tennis and football clubs. I was very excited about joining this school.”

Support services manager Kim Todd said: “I work with a highly trained staff team who are totally dedicated to the well-being of the children here at St James’. Everyone is known individually because we are a small school.”

Parent Jane Levinson has a daughter in Year 4. She said: “For me this school was a natural transition from nursery. The children are all known and are very well looked after. Nothing is ever too much trouble for the staff and academic standards are high.”

Year 4 teacher Steve Spicer said: “This is a very welcoming school and is like a family. We see such a transformation in the children from when they start here until Year 4. We help them to be independent and confident.”