St John's Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 June 2026

This small village school at the heart of its community is part of a large trust, which provides wider opportunities and support for pupils and staff. Pupils enjoy coming to school and speak positively about their learning and friendships. They learn in calm, well-organised classrooms, where relationships with staff are warm and respectful. Pupils feel safe and know that adults listen to them and act on any concerns. They are confident that if bullying or unkind behaviour were to occur, it would be dealt with quickly and effectively. Pupils generally engage well in their lessons and show positive attitudes to learning. They take pride in their work and benefit from a curriculum that builds their knowledge over time. The school takes effective steps to reduce barriers to learning. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported carefully so they can take part in learning alongside their peers. Most pupils achieve well and the proportion of pupils who achieve the expected standard in national tests exceeds national averages. They are prepared well for the next stage of their education. Most pupils attend well and staff work closely with families to support regular attendance if attendance becomes a concern. Pupils behave well in lessons and at social times, contributing to a calm and purposeful environment. They take part in a wide range of wider experiences, including a range of enrichment activities, community projects and charity work. These opportunities help pupils develop confidence, responsibility and a sense of belonging. The school's values are deeply embedded across all aspects of school life and pupils explain how these values help shape the decisions they make. Pupils benefit from a positive and inclusive experience that supports both their academic progress and personal growth.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that teaching provides sufficient depth and challenge for pupils who can achieve more highly to reach the highest standards across the curriculum.
• Leaders should ensure that staff develop consistent expertise in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Leaders should ensure that staff interactions with children in the early years consistently support children’s language development and early writing skills.

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