St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne, Camborne

Ofsted's report card from its 10 February 2026 inspection grades St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well across the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is a focus for the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have improved the curriculum since the previous inspection."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff know pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their individual needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Trust and school leaders form a supportive partnership."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders promote the personal development of pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, well."

Early years - Needs attention. "Some aspects of the early years provision are not as effective as in the rest of the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years engage children in high-quality activities that develop and extend their knowledge and skills"; "Leaders should ensure that the approach to teaching handwriting is implemented consistently well so that pupils' writing fluency and the quality of their work improve".

In its own words: "Inspired by our teacher, Jesus Christ, and his good news to the poor, we have a commitment especially to those who are disadvantaged. We are determined that a child's start in life need not determine their future."

In 2025, 96% of Year 6 pupils at St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne reached the expected standard in reading and 100% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 73% in Cornwall and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 85% in reading and 85% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne as their first choice and 25 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne are Trevithick Learning Academy (0.2 miles, Good, 80% reading, 75% maths); St Meriadoc CofE Infant Academy (0.4 miles, Good); Roskear Primary & Nursery School (0.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 71% maths); and St Meriadoc CofE Junior Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 80% reading, 74% maths).

St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne is one of 34 schools run by Plymouth Cast, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 51% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

46 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne (as of April 2026): 87% would recommend the school, 85% say their child is happy there and 82% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (87%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (78%).

In 2026, 47 pupils (31.5%) received SEN support and 6 (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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Camborne Rail Station, about 190 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Trevu Centre (sw-bound), 170 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 186 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cornwall (14), as is usual near a town centre.

St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to St John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne are Camborne Science and International Academy (0.8 miles) and Pool Academy (1.6 miles).