St John’s Church of England Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Children make good progress in Reception because teaching for them is consistently good. Effective leadership ensures close links with local nursery settings and that all staff work together well.

Pupils of all ages do particularly well in reading because of the excellent start they have in Reception, linking letters and sounds (Phonics). Reading is effectively taught throughout the school. Learning is effective in all Key Stage 1 and 2 lessons because teaching is consistently good and occasionally outstanding.

Teachers plan interesting and challenging tasks that motivate pupils and make learning fun. Behaviour is good in lessons and aro...und school. Pupils feel safe because of the excellent family atmosphere generated by all adults in this caring and friendly school.

The headteacher has deservedly won the confidence of everyone and staff share his vision to create an outstanding school. Regular checks on teaching by all senior leaders and checks on pupils' progress by all staff are helping to raise standards. Governance is good.

Governors use their considerable expertise to ask senior leaders searching questions about how well the school is doing. This contributes to the good capacity to improve. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The progress of a minority of pupils who have special educational needs is not rapid enough in some lessons and as a result, their attainment compares unfavourably with similar pupils in other schools.

Too few governors are involved in checking on school improvement and reports of their visits to school are not always produced.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school. Just over 10 per cent of pupils are from a minority ethnic background but almost all speak English as their first language.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium, which is additional funding for children in local authority care and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals, is below average. The proportions of pupils supported through school action, school action plus or a statement of special educational needs are all broadly average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

A new deputy headteacher started in September 2012. The before- and after-school club, called the Ewe Club, is organised and managed by the governing body. It is included in the inspection.

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