St John's (CofE) Primary Academy, Clifton

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

Pupils feel part of a family in this warm, welcoming school. Pupils are highly respectful towards adults and each other. Pupils feel safe and enjoy excellent relationships with staff. They arrive at school in a calm manner, ready to learn and make the most of their day. Pupils are thoughtful and kind. Their attitudes reflect the ethos of the school. The school is ambitious for all pupils' achievement. The curriculum interests and challenges pupils. They learn with enthusiasm and build their knowledge effectively over time. Pupils are excited by their learning in many subjects and glow with pride when talking about it. Pupils are mostly focused in lessons and work with determination. They love to read and appreciate their many opportunities to do so. Children get off to a strong start in the early years, where they enjoy well-considered days of learning and discovery. There is a calm and purposeful atmosphere in school. Pupils are confident and independent. Pupils are motivated to behave well. Their behaviour is good all around the school. Pupils talk with enthusiasm about their leadership opportunities and their contribution to the life of the school and community beyond. Pupils are clear that they are all equal and that it is okay to be different.

What the school should improve

• Trustees do not have systems in place to help them hold leaders to account for the quality of education. As a result, they have not been able to help set the strategic direction for school improvement. Trustees should rapidly build their capacity and further develop systems so that they know what is happening in school and can challenge and support leaders effectively.
• In mathematics, the activities pupils are presented with do not routinely encourage them to use their knowledge in reasoning and problem-solving soon enough. This means that pupils do not become adept at applying what they know. The school should continue to develop ways that pupils can reason, use and apply their knowledge as soon as they are ready.
• At times, knowledge gaps and misconceptions are not identified and addressed soon enough. This means that pupils do not progress through the curriculum as well as they could. The school should continue its work to ensure that all teachers have the pedagogical knowledge needed to ensure that misconceptions are spotted and addressed effectively.

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