St John's Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 June 2023

This is a school where pupils, staff, parents and carers celebrate the value of community. Leaders understand the local context and ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of the learners, both academically and through wider opportunities. The creatively planned residential trips are carefully sequenced to develop pupils' independence. They complement other leadership responsibilities that pupils undertake such as the anti-bullying ambassadors and school council members. The curriculum is ambitious for all, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders have identified four 'curriculum drivers' of 'outdoor, community, challenge & risk taking and spiritual & cultural'. These drivers are part of every topic and encourage pupils to experience learning beyond the classroom. Leaders recognise that these are more developed in some subjects than in others. Pupils are happy at this school. They feel safe and talk about the teachers and pupils being the best thing about their school. Bullying is very rare, and pupils are confident that the anti-bullying ambassadors will help them sort out any problems quickly. The implementation of these ambassadors has developed pupils' understanding of what bullying is. There are high expectations for pupils' achievement and conduct. Staff are swift to address any behaviour that is not meeting these high expectations.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum sequencing of learning in some foundation subjects is not fully developed. This means that the lesson activities in those subjects are not precise enough. As a result, in these cases, some children do not remember their learning over time. Leaders need to ensure that teachers know what to teach, and when, in a way that builds connected knowledge for all children.
• In some lessons there is not always sufficient challenge for all pupils. Consequently, there are some groups of children who do not achieve as well as they could. Leaders need to ensure that all learners have opportunities to demonstrate their understanding through carefully designed activities that provide depth and challenge.

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