Ainsdale St John's Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 February 2026

Pupils flourish at Ainsdale St John’s because they feel valued as individuals. Pupils attend regularly and arrive at school happy and ready to start each day. They settle down quickly to learning because the school’s expectations are very clear. Pupils show kindness to each other because, from the early years, they are taught to think about others. For example, at social times, pupils are always on the lookout for anyone who may need a helping hand. Pupils feel a strong sense of belonging. They wholeheartedly recognise what it means to embody the school values and be part of the school community. Pupils sensitively help others when they need it, both in the classroom and during other parts of the school day. They do this without being asked because they see it as their duty to be kind and caring towards others. This not only makes the school a happy place to learn but also prepares pupils well for when they leave the school. Pupils know how to recognise any signs of bullying. However, incidents of bullying are rare. Although pupils’ published outcomes at the end of Year 6 are below average, the current picture of achievement within the school is more positive. Swift recent changes mean that there are clear expectations for pupils’ learning, alongside their behaviour and conduct. This means that, starting in the early years, across the school, most pupils progress well from their starting points. Pupils who are disadvantaged and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive because of the well-planned and tailored support that they receive. This not only positively impacts pupils’ learning, but also their character and wider development.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that pupils develop the knowledge of mathematics and reading that they need, in order to be well prepared for their next steps in education.
• Leaders should support staff to embed the recent changes to the curriculum, ensuring that in all subjects the curriculum is well designed and taught to a consistently high standard.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)