St John's CofE First School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

Pupils at St. John’s C of E First School are happy, enthusiastic and confident. They enjoy coming to school because they find learning interesting and fun. The school values of perseverance, courage, friendship, trust, compassion and respect are clearly evident in pupils’ attitudes and behaviour. They show kindness and empathy towards one another and are proud of their school. Pupils behave well, both in lessons and around the school site. They engage positively in their learning because the curriculum is inspiring, taught well and extends beyond the classroom. Pupils are resilient and independent. They understand the impact of unkind behaviour and value differences. Bullying is very rare, and pupils are confident that adults act quickly to resolve any concerns. When pupils start school, staff get to know them and their families well. This means that any barriers they may face can be addressed quickly and support put in place. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm and caring. As a result, pupils thrive at school and make good progress. Pupils find the broad and balanced curriculum engaging and inspiring. They appreciate the wide range of curricular trips and visits that extend their learning and deepen their understanding. Adaptations are made to ensure that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities, can access their learning. This contributes to pupils achieving well across the curriculum. Pupils value the wide range of enriching experiences on offer. These include educational visits, leadership roles and extra-curricular clubs, which all pupils benefit from. They talk enthusiastically about their aspirations for the future and are very well prepared for life in the wider world beyond their rural community.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that most effective teaching practice is implemented consistently across all year groups.
• Leaders should improve the accuracy of handwriting and spelling for those pupils who do not yet apply them consistently in their work.
• Leaders should continue their work to raise the attendance of vulnerable groups.

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