Inspection Reports

At St John’s, we place great importance on the insights gained through regular independent inspections. These in-depth reviews provide parents with a clear, objective assessment of how effectively we are fulfilling our educational aims and responsibilities as a leading prep school.

Our most recent full inspections, involved a rigorous evaluation of the school’s operation alongside feedback from parents and pupils. The outcome was exceptionally positive across all areas, highlighting the strength of our teaching, pastoral care, leadership, and overall school environment.

Read the full ISI Inspection Reports to learn more about our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in every aspect of school life.

St John’s 2026 Inspection Report

St John’s 2023 Inspection Report

Key Highlights (June 2026)

St John’s successfully met all the relevant Independent School Standards in its June 2026 ISI inspection, reflecting the school’s commitment to academic excellence, personal development, pupil wellbeing and effective safeguarding.

Quality of Education

• Teachers have good subject knowledge and understanding of the subjects they teach
• The curriculum is well planned to ensure pupils, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress in their understanding
• As a result, children and pupils make good progress

Early Years

• The early years provision makes a positive difference to children’s first experiences of school
• Staff are caring and nurture children’s interests

Personal Development and Wellbeing

• The school is a calm and welcoming place where pupils and children in the early years work and play well together
• Pupils are polite and consistently engage in positive interactions with each other and adults
• Bullying is rare

Leadership and Governance

• The governing body and leaders have a clear vision for the school, which is well promoted and effectively realised
• The governors hold leaders to account effectively so that the Standards are consistently met

Safeguarding

• Safeguarding is effective
• The school has an effective safeguarding culture which is successfully promoted by leaders who consciously thread it through all school activity

Key Highlights (May 2023)

Overall Judgement: Excellent

St John’s was awarded the highest grade of ‘Excellent’ in all three core areas:

• Teaching and Learning
• Personal Development
• Leadership and Governance

Pupil achievement was described as ‘exceptional’, with the inspectors highlighting that “pupils of all needs and abilities, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), are extremely successful in their learning.”

Early Years & Individual Support

The learning environment in our Nursery, Reception, and Pre-Prep was praised as “highly stimulating” with staff providing “highly effective planning” tailored to each child’s unique needs.

St John’s commitment to challenge and extend gifted pupils was highlighted, with inspectors noting that they are “very well prepared for scholarship examinations” and “the school’s successful record of entry into selective senior schools reflects the effectiveness of this preparation.”

Beyond the Classroom

Inspectors praised our broad and balanced curriculum and the exceptional achievements in extra-curricular activities, particularly in music, drama, and sport.

Pupils benefit from more than 50 clubs and after-school activities, as well as a wealth of outdoor learning opportunities.

Personal Development

The personal development of pupils was rated ‘excellent’, supported by a “friendly and caring atmosphere” and “high standards of behaviour.” The school was recognised for fostering strong spiritual, moral, social, and cultural values, with a clear emphasis on respect, tolerance, and equality.

“The school’s promotion of British values is embedded throughout, and pupils are taught to value and appreciate the beliefs and feelings of others.”

Safeguarding & Wellbeing

St John’s approach to safeguarding and welfare was described as “comprehensive and robust.” Inspectors highlighted our effective anti-bullying policy, which includes coverage of cyberbullying, and noted that pupils feel safe and supported.

Leadership & Governance

Leadership and governance were judged to be ‘excellent’. Inspectors praised:

• The clear, ambitious vision of the Governing Board
• Regular engagement and oversight by governors
• Strong strategic and financial planning
• Highly effective leadership and self-evaluation from the senior team

“St John’s maintains strong relationships with parents, who are highly positive about the school’s provision.”