St John the Divine Church of England Primary School, located in Camberwell, London, has recently undergone an inspection on the 14th and 15th of November 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school has been rated as good, which reflects positively on its educational standards and environment. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, as well as early years provision have all been assessed as good, maintaining the same grade as the previous inspection in May 2022.
The school prides itself on fostering strong relationships between staff and pupils, which begins in the early years. This supportive atmosphere contributes to pupils feeling safe and valued. Leaders emphasize the school’s values, encouraging pupils to embody these principles in their behavior, which enhances the overall school environment. Pupils express a sense of happiness and community, highlighting the positive impact of these values on their daily experiences.
Leaders have set high expectations for pupils, leading to significant curriculum changes aimed at increasing ambition and depth of knowledge. These adjustments have already shown a positive impact on pupils' learning. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs for needlecraft, netball, and music, which help to nurture pupils' talents and interests. Educational trips, such as visits to museums, further enrich the learning experience, allowing pupils to engage with their studies in a practical context.
The curriculum is aligned with the National Curriculum, and teaching is structured to ensure that knowledge is delivered in a logical sequence. For instance, in music, pupils progress from singing simple melodies to more complex harmonies as they advance through the years. However, there are areas where teaching could improve, particularly in ensuring that pupils recall essential prior knowledge that supports their understanding of new concepts. This gap can hinder their ability to connect different pieces of knowledge over time.
While the school provides comprehensive support for staff in subjects like mathematics, there are inconsistencies in the training provided for other subjects. This can lead to unclear explanations and unaddressed misconceptions during lessons, which may result in pupils retaining incorrect information. The school is committed to ensuring that all pupils have access to quality reading materials and a structured phonics curriculum, which has led to high outcomes in national assessments for reading. However, there are instances where struggling readers do not receive the timely support needed to close gaps in their phonics knowledge.
The school effectively identifies and supports pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they learn alongside their peers. The personal, social, health, and economic education program is well-designed, teaching pupils about healthy relationships, online safety, and cultural diversity. The school maintains high expectations for all pupils, creating a calm and focused learning environment.
The governing body plays an active role in reviewing the school’s performance and works closely with leaders to identify areas for improvement. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring that pupils are protected and supported in their learning environment. Overall, while the school demonstrates many strengths, there are areas for development, particularly in enhancing the clarity of teaching in certain subjects and ensuring that all pupils receive the necessary support to thrive academically.
