St John’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils receive a great education here.

The school is determined that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), will have every opportunity to thrive personally, socially and academically. Pupil experiences while at the school ensure they develop as well-rounded individuals who achieve highly.

Behaviour is exemplary.

Pupils are highly motivated to learn. Strong routines, learned right from the start of Reception, enable pupils to settle quickly in lessons and learn very well. Breaktimes are joyous occasions.

Pupils from all year groups socialise well together, enjoying a wide range of outdoor equipment and ...organised games.

Pupils relish taking advantage of the school's wide-ranging extra-curricular activities. Extensive sporting opportunities offer multiple chances for pupils to represent the school in a wide range of sports.

These include table tennis, boccia/curling, athletics, hockey and several football teams. Pupils also benefit from many opportunities to learn musical instruments and to perform on stage.

Deliberately planned additional experiences enrich pupils' learning greatly.

For example, visits to see steam trains, historic sites and places of worship deepen pupils' curriculum learning. Furthermore, thoughtful use of virtual reality headsets, facilities at a local college and theatre visits broadens pupils' learning exceptionally well.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Understated and highly ambitious leaders continually strive to do their very best for all pupils.

The school aims to empower pupils to learn, to know themselves and be aware of others, to develop as global citizens and to possess a strong body of knowledge. All staff work tirelessly to ensure that these aims are embodied throughout the school's work. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to achieve these aims.

It clearly sets out what pupils should learn in every subject. The curriculum is ordered so that all pupils, including those with SEND, learn the important knowledge they need, when they need to learn it. This enables pupils to make connections within and between subjects that deepen their understanding.

For example, pupils use geographical knowledge about climate change and use of natural resources, to inform their history learning about the development of trade over time.

The school's impressive curriculum and teachers' strong subject knowledge enable pupils to achieve highly. Teachers present new information confidently.

Pupils complete work that helps them to learn detailed knowledge and skills. For example, in design and technology, pupils in Year 1 practise running stich in sewing by making fabric pouches. Teachers regularly check what pupils know and can do, to identify and address gaps in pupils' understanding before introducing new content.

Careful and precise identification of any additional needs means that pupils who need extra help with learning the curriculum receive the support they need swiftly. In addition, teachers make certain that pupils remember their learning securely.Pupils love to read.

Right from the start of Reception, children learn the phonics knowledge they need. The school's phonics programme is delivered with exceptional consistency. This helps pupils to be confident, fluent readers by the time they leave key stage 1.

Pupils learn important knowledge about the English language by listening to and studying well-chosen high-quality literature. Pupils then expertly apply this knowledge when communicating their own ideas in writing.

Strong relationships and high levels of respect permeate the school.

Pupils learn the importance of integrity. Pupils are polite and well-mannered. They are articulate and discuss their ideas with each other confidently and considerately.

Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their learning. They engage well in lessons and work hard.

Pupils are prepared exceptionally well for life in modern Britain.

Learning how to live out the school's values, including love, truth and respect, enables pupils to develop a strong, positive character. The pupil 'Equalities and Rights Advocates' group work with other pupils, staff and governors to promote tolerance, inclusion and respect for all. Pupils learn how to debate ideas in a reasoned way.

They understand the importance of basing their ideas and opinions on carefully considered information. Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. They learn important road safety skills, such as how to cross the road and how to travel safely to their secondary school.

Pupils develop a strong understanding of online safety too. They know about the positive uses of technology, how to manage online risks and how to question the reliability of online information.

Governors have strong processes in place to maintain clear oversight of the school and to carry out their duties appropriately.

Staff benefit from highly effective training and support. They are very well-equipped to support all pupils to achieve highly.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.