St John’s Church of England Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. The determined leadership of the headteacher has further improved teaching and pupils' achievement since the last inspection. Leaders make very effective use of pupil progress meetings, to identify strengths and weaknesses, and to plan well-targeted additional support for pupils and training for teachers.

Pupils' achievement throughout the school is good. By the time they leave Year 6, standards are above those expected nationally in reading, writing and mathematics. The quality of teaching is good across the school.

Teachers have good subject knowledge and are supported well by teaching assistants. Disabled pupils and those with special... educational needs achieve well because adults quickly identify their needs and provide effective support. Strong leadership has rapidly improved provision in the pre-school and Reception classes; children get a good start to their education.

Pupils are well cared for and feel safe in school. They are keen to learn and work hard. Pupils say, 'We try our best because we want to succeed.'

Pupils' behaviour in lessons and around the school is good. The caring atmosphere throughout the school reflects a strong sense of community. A wide range of activities and educational visits enriches the vibrant curriculum.

This helps pupils learn well across all subjects. Governors share the leaders' ambition and vision for the school. They offer frequent challenge and have a good understanding of quality of teaching and its impact on pupils' achievement.

The school engages well with parents and carers. Responses to the online questionnaire, Parent View, were overwhelmingly positive about the school. As part of the Chesil Education Partnership, the school works productively with its partner schools to develop good practice.

It is not yet an outstanding school because : Plans for improvement are not measurable enough for governors to check for themselves the difference the school's actions are making. There are not enough opportunities for teachers to share the best practice that exists in the school. Not all teachers implement the school's agreed marking and presentation policy with the same success, especially in mathematics.

Although attendance is improving, it is below the national average.

Information about this school

The school is slightly smaller than the average-sized primary school. A new headteacher was appointed in September 2013.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. A very small minority of pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is below the national average.

This additional funding is for pupils who are eligible for free school meals or those who are looked after by the local authority. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is above the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum standards set for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 6.

There is a pre-school setting on the site, which is managed by the school's governing body and which children attend on a part-time basis. Once they join the Reception class they attend full time. In 2014, the school provided two Reception classes to cater for the increase in pupil numbers.

This is set to return to one Reception class in September 2015. A breakfast club is provided by the school. The school has a range of links to other primary schools as part of their membership to the Chesil Education Partnership.