St James & St John Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

Pupils relish coming to school because they enjoy learning. They attend regularly and show highly positive attitudes. Pupils value their caring friends, who they feel assured will support and include them. Relationships between staff and pupils are built on respect. This is underpinned by the school’s clear vision. Staff take the time to greet pupils warmly at the start of each day. This helps pupils to feel valued. Should pupils need to, they feel confident in speaking to a trusted adult who will help to resolve any issues. Pupils are helped to feel safe and well cared for. Pupils’ behaviour across the school is impressive. They consistently rise to the expectations that staff have for them. From the early years, children show high levels of engagement because classrooms are purposeful hubs for learning. Pupils move sensibly and considerately around the school so as not to disturb others. Playtimes are harmonious because pupils socialise well. Bullying is rare. Pupils understand that all forms of bullying are unacceptable. They are confident that adults will deal with any concerns quickly and effectively. Staff understand pupils’ needs deeply. Consequently, teaching approaches and resources help to reduce barriers to learning so that pupils make highly positive progress from their starting points. Pupils' achievement at the end of Year 6 in reading, writing and mathematics is consistently above the national average, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those facing other barriers. Pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupil leadership opportunities are well established. Year 6 pupil trust leaders are rightly proud to act as role models. They demonstrate the school’s values of compassion and integrity consistently in their day-to-day actions. These values are firmly embedded across daily school life, which contributes to a cohesive sense of community. Pupils learn to value and celebrate difference. Pupils explore different perspectives and views with respect and curiosity. They engage in thoughtful discussions to deepen their understanding.

What the school should improve

• Leaders and governors should continue their highly effective work on ensuring that, across all subjects, teaching consistently enables pupils to develop highly detailed knowledge over time, securing sustained impact on the achievement of all pupils.

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