St John’s Church of England Primary School, Hindley Green

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Pupils across the school make good progress and some do better than this.

Disabled pupils and those with special educational needs also make good progress because the support they receive is tailored closely to their needs. Teaching is good. There is an infectious enthusiasm for learning in the school.

Teachers have high expectations of the pupils and challenge them to do their best. The quality of education provided for children in the Reception Year is outstanding. The sharp focus on developing children's skills in speaking, reading and writing is laying a strong foundation for successful learning.

Pupils' behaviour around the... school is impeccable. This arises from a transformation of the school's ethos, based on Christian values, so that respect and concern for others in school as well as beyond are central. Leaders including governors have tackled the school's weaknesses resolutely and rapidly.

The relentless drive for improvement has changed the school from one causing concern to a place where pupils thrive as learners and their personal development flourishes. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Only a small proportion of teaching is outstanding and occasionally lessons require improvement. Not all of the more-able pupils reach the higher levels of which they are capable.

Information about this school

Hindley Green St John's became part of The Keys Federation, a group of three primary schools in the same area, in September 2011 following the judgement in June 2011 that the school required special measures. The federation is led by the executive headteacher, a National Leader in Education, and a single governing body. The headteacher was appointed by the federation in September 2011.

The school has received two monitoring inspections since it was placed in special measures. This report arises from the third monitoring inspection. This school is much smaller than average but the number on roll is increasing.

Almost all pupils are White British with a very small number from a range of minority ethnic heritages. Three pupils are at the early stages of learning English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils whose circumstances are known to make the school eligible for additional government funding, the pupil premium, is below average.

The proportion of pupils with special educational needs supported at school action is above average. The percentage of pupils supported at school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs, is high. The school exceeds the government's current floor standard, which is the minimum standard expected for pupils' attainment and progress.

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