St John's School
Austin Canons, Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8AAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St John's School is a special school in Bedford for ages 2 to 19. It is one of the 84 schools in Bedford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 September 2023, report published 9 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 13 September 2023
Calm and clear routines help pupils to settle as soon as they arrive at school each morning. Every pupil receives a warm greeting from the adult who knows them best. Pupils form strong and nurturing relationships with staff. Pupils are safe and secure. They express their enjoyment of school using words such as 'happy' and 'friendly'. Pupils want to learn. Everyone shares the same high aspirations to work hard and try their best. This helps to make the school a harmonious place. Pupils have broad smiles and express wonder and delight when they are successful in class. The school understands that communication is key in helping pupils to share their feelings. Positive approaches used by staff help pupils to understand their behaviours. Pupils show care and respect for one another and behave well in and out of class. At times, some pupils find it difficult to manage their emotions. These times are well managed by staff. Pupils who attend St. John's have profound and multiple learning and health difficulties. Staff work closely with therapists to provide excellent care for pupils. Bespoke programmes of therapy support are woven into pupils' daily routines. This ensures that pupils' range of needs are well met.
What the school should improve
- In a few areas of the curriculum, the plans do not provide sufficient detail to support the building of learning for pupils with complex needs. This means that pupils do not make the progress of which they are capable. Leaders should ensure that curriculum plans are more precise and that all teachers know how to use the programmes effectively in order to plan pupils' learning well.
- In a few subjects, teachers do not make appropriate pedagogical choices to teach the curriculum well. This means that pupils needs are not well met, and they do not learn the curriculum as intended. Leaders must ensure that all teachers receive training to teach well so that pupils make the best progress of which they are capable.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
7 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
178 pupils on roll, with places for 181
Schools near St John's School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grange Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 2.6 |
| Rivertree Free School | 0.9 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Ridgeway School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Cambian Walnut Tree Lodge School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Esland Bedford School | 9 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy special converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BEDFORD INCLUSIVE LEARNING AND TRAINING TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Miss Shannon Poulter
- Phone
- 01234345565
- Address
- Austin Canons, Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 8AA
- Local authority
- Bedford
- URN
- 137469
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.