Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School, Rowland's Castle

Ofsted's report card from its 27 January 2026 inspection grades Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "Children get off to a flying start in the Reception Year."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Overall, pupils achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the importance of improving attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff share high ambitions for all pupils to succeed."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from a well-organised programme for personal development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is delivered consistently well across all year groups so that pupils secure the knowledge needed for future learning. • Leaders should ensure that their work on pupils' attendance has greater impact and leads to improved attendance and declining persistent absence".

In its own words: "Through our Christian Values of Courage, Creativity and Respect, we will create a nurturing environment which fosters curiosity and an achievement culture for all. We will pursue high expectations in both pupils' learning and their personal development within our supportive and friendly environment with a strong community ethos."

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Monday 30 November 2026 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in Hampshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 80% in reading and 77% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 45 families put Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 79 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 places offered. That is 1.6 first choices for every place. 18 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School are Sharps Copse Primary and Nursery School (0.9 miles, Good, 74% reading, 74% maths); Front Lawn Primary Academy (1 mile, Outstanding, 89% reading, 86% maths); Warren Park Primary School (1.3 miles, Outstanding, 82% reading, 78% maths); and St Alban's Church of England Aided Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 70% reading, 73% maths).

Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

46 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School (as of September 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

15.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 11 pupils (5.4%) received SEN support and 7 (3.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Rowlands Castle Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Durrants Gardens (adjacent), 220 metres away.

In 2024/25, Rowlands Castle St John's Church of England Controlled Primary School issued 14 suspensions, 7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.