St John the Evangelist CofE Infant and Nursery School

About St John the Evangelist CofE Infant and Nursery School

St John the Evangelist CofE Infant and Nursery School is a state primary in West Berkshire that is clearly in demand. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 106 applications for just 55 places, with 49 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.93 means nearly two families applied for every spot, and all first-preference offers went to families who listed it as their top choice. The school itself is slightly over capacity, with 188 pupils against a published capacity of 180, which suggests it is operating at full stretch. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.5 per cent, which is a useful benchmark for parents comparing the school’s intake against the national average. As a Church of England school catering for children aged three to seven, it also offers nursery provision, so families looking for a single setting from the earliest years through to Key Stage 1 may find that continuity appealing.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in March 2025, awarded a Good rating across every category that was judged. The quality of education, early years provision, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management all received a Good. The previous inspection, back in 2011, also rated overall effectiveness as Good, so the school has maintained a consistent standard over time. The parent view survey, completed by 53 respondents between September 2024 and September 2025, shows strong satisfaction: 91 per cent would recommend the school, and 98 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. On academic expectations, 83 per cent agreed the school has high expectations for their child, and 98 per cent felt their child does well. The local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment is 57 per cent, though as an infant school St John’s does not have its own KS2 results to compare directly.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sensory room, forest school area, gymnasium, dining hall and chapel, which gives it a practical, well-resourced feel. Sports provision covers cricket, swimming, netball and cross country, and there are clubs such as coding, chess, science club, film club and choir. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for social, emotional and mental health, speech, language and communication needs, hearing impairment and physical disability, though the parent view data on SEND support had no responses, so families with specific needs may want to discuss provision directly. The school is oversubscribed, so applying as a first preference is advisable. It suits families who value a Church of England foundation, a strong early years start, and a school that feels full and popular within its community.

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