St John's CofE (A) Primary School, Stoke-on-Trent

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades St John's CofE (A) Primary School 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.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders strive hard to improve school attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a broad, balanced and well-sequenced curriculum from the early years to Year 6."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that children have a successful start to their learning in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs swiftly."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have an effective understanding of the context of their school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through a well-planned programme that runs throughout the curriculum."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils who arrive at the school at times other than in Reception Year do not experience and benefit from the full curriculum."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that the teaching of important knowledge and skills in writing enables pupils who have gaps in their writing knowledge to improve the quality of their writing. • Leaders should continue to strengthen support for teachers to ensure that adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are consistently matched to their needs, so that pupils learn well across all subjects. • Leaders should further ensure that subject leaders support staff to deliver the curriculum effectively so that all pupils achieve well in every subject".

In its own words: "St John's CE(A) Primary School opened in September 2005 in a new building with extensive grounds and serves the community of Trent Vale, Springfields and Penkhull. We are a Church of England primary school and our Christian ethos is at the heart of everything we do."

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of the staff and governors it is a pleasure to welcome you to St. John's Church of England (A) Primary School, where I am proud to be the headteacher. At St. John's we aim to give every child the best possible start to their education."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care, from £2.50 per day.

In 2025, 72% of Year 6 pupils at St John's CofE (A) Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Stoke-on-Trent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 56% in reading and 61% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 27 families put St John's CofE (A) Primary School as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 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 CofE (A) Primary School are The Willows Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 82% reading, 84% maths); Harpfield Primary Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 87% reading, 77% maths); Oakhill Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 72% reading, 75% maths); and Langdale Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 78% reading, 75% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than St John's CofE (A) Primary School.

26 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St John's CofE (A) Primary School (as of April 2026): 92% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

46.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (40%), White British (30%) and Black (15%).

The nearest railway station is Stoke-on-Trent Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Newcastle Lane A34 (adjacent), 160 metres away.

St John's CofE (A) Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to St John's CofE (A) Primary School are Thistley Hough Academy (0.3 miles), Clayton Hall Academy (0.8 miles), St Joseph's College (0.9 miles) and Newcastle Academy (1.5 miles).