St John and St Francis Church School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 May 2022

Pupils learn to lead respectful lives. Children in the Reception Year help one another to learn, for example by taking turns politely. Pupils treat one another with understanding and forgiveness. As one pupil put it, 'Everyone has a bad day.' Bullying is rare but if it does happen, staff deal with it effectively. The school has close links with community groups. Leaders encourage pupils to raise money for charitable causes. Pupils say that there are many positive role models for them at the school. Leaders place a high priority on pupils' communication and language skills. Children and pupils build a rich vocabulary. If pupils need support with their speech, this is quickly identified. Pupils benefit from frequent opportunities to talk and listen to one another. All of this helps pupils to communicate confidently. Staff bring the curriculum to life for pupils in imaginative ways. The Reception Year children recently returned from a virtual trip to Africa. Older pupils venture out to museums and landmarks across Somerset. There is an array of clubs for pupils to choose from. For example, pupils can join the 'history detectives', where they learn about society and culture a decade at a time.

What the school should improve

• Teachers do not always check pupils' understanding systematically enough. As a result, some pupils have gaps in their knowledge, leading to mistakes and misconceptions. Leaders should ensure that teaching consistently enables pupils to gain a secure understanding of key subject concepts.

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