St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe, Bury

Ofsted's report card from its 16 June 2026 inspection grades St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Published data from the tests at the end of Year 6 show an improving picture over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance sits prominently at the heart of leaders' work."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an early years curriculum that is ambitious for all."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have threaded inclusion as a priority throughout the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders' passion and commitment to improve the lives of pupils is palpable."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a coherent and considered programme of personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to ensure that teachers identify and address any gaps in pupils' knowledge of writing in a timely way so that pupils can become more successful writers"; "Leaders should continue to develop their work to reduce the number of pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, who are persistently absent from school so that these pupils can benefit from all that school has to offer".

In its own words: "Our community is one where all are welcomed and valued; where dedicated staff ensure children learn in a safe, nurturing and happy environment, which enhances excellence and enables children to flourish. We hope that pupils will develop the confidence to play a positive part in society, to accept its rules and try to help some of its problems."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, athletics and gymnastics.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 77% in Bury and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (70% in reading, 70% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 25 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 1 family who put it first was not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe are Chapelfield Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 76% reading, 83% maths); Gorsefield Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 95% reading, 95% maths); Cams Lane Primary School (0.8 miles, 79% reading, 75% maths); and St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy (0.9 miles, 61% reading, 68% maths).

St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe is one of 7 schools run by The Sycamore Church of England Trust Limited, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 61% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

51.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 34.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (62%), Black (15%) and Asian (11%).

The nearest tram or metro stop is Radcliffe (Manchester Metrolink), about 950 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is James Street (adjacent), 90 metres away.

In 2024/25, St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe issued 3 suspensions, 1.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St John's Church of England Primary School, Radcliffe are Star Radcliffe Academy (0.7 miles) and Philips High School (1.2 miles).