St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in Danbury has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on September 19 and 20, 2023. The school provides a calm and supportive environment where pupils feel safe and confident to express themselves. Positive relationships between pupils and staff contribute to a nurturing atmosphere, fostering trust and encouraging pupils to seek help when needed. The school emphasizes its core values of kindness, perseverance, truthfulness, responsibility, and respect, which are evident in the behavior of pupils from early years through to their final years.
The curriculum at St John’s is designed to be ambitious and broad, allowing pupils to acquire a wide range of knowledge. Leaders maintain high expectations for all students, ensuring that those with special educational needs and disabilities receive the necessary support to thrive academically. Pupils demonstrate a strong commitment to their learning, consistently striving to achieve their best and taking pride in their accomplishments. The school also offers a variety of extra-curricular activities, including clubs, trips, and competitions, which help to develop pupils' leadership skills and community involvement.
While the school has made significant strides in enhancing its curriculum, there are areas that require further development. Subject leaders are passionate and confident, but in some subjects, the clarity of expectations and the core content that pupils should learn is not as well defined. This has led to gaps in knowledge for some pupils, as the school has not consistently checked that the curriculum is being delivered as intended across all subjects. Consequently, some pupils struggle to recall what they have learned.
Teachers at St John’s are skilled in assessing pupils’ understanding through effective questioning and clear presentation of information. They adapt their teaching to meet the diverse needs of their students, ensuring that those with SEND are included in the same curriculum as their peers. The school prioritizes reading, with a strong focus on phonics instruction and vocabulary development from the early years. Staff are proactive in identifying pupils who need additional support, helping them to become confident and fluent readers.
The early years program fosters positive learning behaviors, such as concentration and resilience, which continue throughout the school. Pupils exhibit enthusiasm for learning and take pride in their achievements, eagerly sharing their successes with others. The school has a well-structured approach to relationships and sex education, ensuring that content is age-appropriate and aligns with the school’s vision of encouraging pupils to shine.
Governance at St John’s is strong, with governors providing effective support and challenge to school leaders. Staff feel valued and supported, contributing to a positive working environment. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring that pupils' welfare is prioritized.
To improve further, the school needs to clearly define the core content for all subjects to prevent knowledge gaps and ensure that the curriculum is taught as planned. Regular checks should be implemented to monitor the delivery of the curriculum, enabling pupils to retain and recall their learning effectively. Overall, St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School continues to provide a good education, with a strong foundation for future growth and development.
