St John's Church of England Primary School, Reading

Ofsted's report card from its 14 July 2026 inspection grades St John's Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils love coming to school."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a highly inclusive culture."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Personal development and wellbeing is woven through all aspects of the school's work."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils across the school generally achieve well in national checks and tests."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have carefully designed a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of its pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), disadvantaged pupils and those known or previously known to social care."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start in early years."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate a strong sense of moral purpose in the work they carry out."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is embedded across the school"; "Leaders should continue their work to ensure that any gaps in foundational knowledge are identified and addressed swiftly so all pupils achieve as well as they can".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our message of Peace ..... welcome to our caring, inclusive and aspirational school where children really are at the heart of all that we do. Thank you for your interest in our lovely school."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, tennis, gymnastics, badminton, karate, choir, chess, STEM and French.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at St John's Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Reading and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 91% in reading and 87% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 55 families put St John's Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 111 named it as one of their preferences, for 58 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St John's Church of England Primary School are New Town Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 69% reading, 73% maths); Redlands Primary School (0.6 miles, Requires improvement, 57% reading, 75% maths); Alfred Sutton Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); and Katesgrove Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 75% reading, 74% maths).

St John's Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

St John's Church of England Primary School is one of 46 schools run by Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 59% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

57.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (47%), Black (21%) and Mixed (11%).

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

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Reading College (adjacent), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 642 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Reading (351), as is usual near a town centre.

St John's Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to St John's Church of England Primary School are Reading School (0.4 miles), Kendrick School (0.5 miles), Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (0.7 miles) and UTC Reading (0.7 miles).