St John's RC School (Essex)
Turpins Lane, Woodford Bridge, IG8 8AXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St John's RC School (Essex) is a special school in Woodford Bridge for ages 5 to 19. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in April 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 21 April 2026, report published 8 June 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Strong standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Post-16 provision
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 April 2026
Pupils are happy, settled and feel safe. They are well known and understood by staff. Pupils have positive and trusting relationships with staff in school. This helps them to feel secure and ready to learn each day. Pupils are well supported to understand their feelings and communicate their needs. They are taught to use communication approaches that work for them. Pupils are calm and learn how to manage their emotions. Consequently, behaviour is positive and consistent across the school. Pupils are kind to each other. They learn how to build positive relationships through daily experiences and lessons. Pupils are supported to understand how behaviour can have a negative or positive impact on others. They learn how to show respect and kindness, which they show constantly. Pupils are rarely affected by bullying. If any concerns arise, staff act quickly to support and resolve them. Pupils feel listened to and know that adults will help them. Pupils enjoy their learning because it is matched to their individual needs and interests. Pupils take part in a wide range of activities that help them develop communication, independence and confidence. Pupils engage well in lessons and are supported by staff who understand how they learn best. Pupils benefit from a calm and structured environment, which helps them to focus and succeed. Pupils achieve well over time. They make progress from their various starting points, especially in communication, reading and early mathematics. Pupils develop important life skills that help them become more independent and prepared for the future. Students in post-16 take part in experiences that support their next steps into adulthood. Pupils grow, achieve and thrive at this nurturing school. They benefit from the care that the school and governors have for them all. This is a truly supportive school environment.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that the progression of knowledge and skills for pupils' wider development is consistently and precisely mapped across all curriculum areas. This will make sure that pupils experience a coherent, well sequenced development of personal skills in every area of the curriculum, including in the post-16 provision.
Pupil numbers and mix
102 pupils on roll, with places for 100
Schools near St John's RC School (Essex)
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxborough Court School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| New Rush Hall School | 1 mile | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | Attainment 8: 13.7 |
| Stradbroke | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Hatton Special School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Wells Park School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Non-maintained special school
- Sector
- Other
- Age range
- 5 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Wendy Killilea
- Phone
- 02085041818
- Address
- Turpins Lane, Woodford Bridge, IG8 8AX
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 115466
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.