St John’s CofE Primary School in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on 19 and 20 October 2021. The school fosters a welcoming environment where pupils feel they are part of an extended family. Students express enjoyment in attending school, playing with friends, and feel happy, safe, and well cared for. The atmosphere is calm and pleasant, contributing to a positive learning environment. Pupils have opportunities to learn, grow, and make friends in an inclusive setting. They demonstrate good behavior in classrooms, understanding expectations, and showing respect towards others.
Breaktimes and lunchtimes are social occasions, and pupils report that bullying is rare. When incidents occur, staff address them promptly and seriously. Pupils take pride in their roles and responsibilities within the school, such as being representatives in the school parliament or eco champions, which allows them to contribute positively to their community.
The school excels in its curriculum planning, with leaders having carefully considered the knowledge pupils should acquire in each subject. Staff have received focused training to effectively deliver this curriculum, resulting in well-organized learning that helps pupils progress in their studies. Pupils find their work challenging and engaging, particularly in extended writing tasks across various subjects. The phonics program is well-implemented, with children starting phonics lessons in Reception and continuing through Year 1 and Year 2, ensuring effective reading development. Reading is prioritized across all year groups, and pupils enjoy visiting the school library to select books.
In the early years, staff demonstrate a strong understanding of how young children learn, effectively developing their language skills and providing a range of learning opportunities. However, the outdoor learning area is under-resourced and does not fully align with the ambitions of the early years curriculum.
The school meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively, with well-trained teaching assistants supporting individuals and small groups. Pupils exhibit good behavior in lessons and around the school, contributing to a calm and orderly environment conducive to learning. The school’s behavior policy is consistently applied, allowing pupils to focus on their education.
Pupils understand the importance of tolerance and respect, celebrating diversity and the value of democracy through their participation in the school parliament. The school is gradually reintroducing extracurricular activities, encouraging pupils to engage in various opportunities.
The trust and governors are aware of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement, providing necessary support and challenge to ensure ongoing development. Staff appreciate the consideration given to their workload and well-being. However, some recent changes in subject planning require further monitoring to ensure desired outcomes for pupils’ learning are achieved.
The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with all necessary checks conducted for new staff appointments. Staff are trained to recognize signs of neglect and abuse, reporting concerns promptly. Pupils are educated about safety risks and know how to seek help.
To enhance the school further, leaders should continue to monitor curriculum implementation and improve the outdoor learning environment in Reception to align with the early years curriculum aspirations. This inspection marks the first routine evaluation since the school became an academy in July 2017, following a previous good judgment in June 2014.
