St John’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Buckhurst Hill

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Real-life experiences gained from trips to museums and places of interest, along with creative and imaginative use of subject matter such as art, music and sport, are helping pupils to learn effectively.

Pupils of all abilities make good progress. By the time they leave the school, some pupils' achievement is outstanding, especially in mathematics. Teaching is good overall, and some is outstanding.

The best teaching is seen in the Early Years Foundation Stage and in Key Stage 2. School leaders know each pupil's abilities very well. They know how to help teachers to make learning better for pupils when they are not doing as well as they c...ould.

The behaviour of the pupils is outstanding. Their enthusiasm, interest, and attention in lessons are exemplary. Pupils are courteous and respectful to one another and to the adults in the school.

Attendance is above average. Pupils say they are very happy at school and feel safe. Parents are highly supportive of the work of the school, and value every aspect of it.

The school promotes excellent spiritual and cultural development. Relationships and communication between pupils and adults are of an exceptionally high quality. The governors know the school well.

They ask challenging questions and support the school well. It is not yet an outstanding school because : In Key Stage 1, the progress of pupils dips from the excellent start they have made in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Some pupils, particularly boys, are not making the same progress in writing as in other subject areas.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized primary school. The school is expanding and now has two classes in each year group up to the end of Key Stage 1. The large majority of pupils are White British.

Other pupils come from a wide range of minority ethnic backgrounds. Only a very small proportion speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for support through the pupil premium is well below average.

This is additional funding for groups such as pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those looked after by the local authority. The proportion of pupils supported by school action is below average, as is the proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs. The school is part of a consortium called Epping Forest Schools Group, made up of 20 schools.

The school has recently been accredited as a teaching school and currently has six trainees working full time at the school. The headteacher is a 'national leader in education' and the deputy headteacher is a 'specialist leader in education'. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

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