St Johns Church of England Primary School, Clifton

About St Johns Church of England Primary School, Clifton

St Johns Church of England Primary School, Clifton, sits comfortably above the local authority average for its key stage 2 results, with 68% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the Bristol average of 58%. That ten-point gap is a solid indicator of consistent classroom performance, and the school’s ranking of 23rd out of 85 primary schools in the city places it in the top third locally. More striking still is the parent feedback: 99% of respondents would recommend the school, and in the most recent Ofsted inspection, inspectors awarded Outstanding ratings for personal development, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision, with the quality of education judged Good. The school has held a Good rating overall across its recent inspections, though its previous inspection in 2015 had judged it Outstanding across the board. For a Church of England primary with 466 pupils and a below-average proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 10.1%, these figures suggest a school that is performing well above the norm for its area.

Digging into the 2023/24 key stage 2 results, the picture is one of strong core skills. Reading and maths average scores were 107 and 106 respectively, both above the national benchmark of 100, and 83% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, with 77% doing so in maths. Writing was close behind at 80%. At the higher standard, 14% of pupils achieved the top marks across all three subjects, while 36% hit the higher standard in maths and 30% in reading. The school’s national ranking for the expected standard in reading, writing and maths places it in the 36th percentile nationally, but within Bristol it sits in the 27th percentile, reflecting the competitive nature of the city’s primary sector. The Ofsted report from May 2025 noted that early years provision remains Outstanding, and the school’s behaviour and attitudes were also rated Outstanding, which aligns with parent views: 99% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their child feels safe, and 99% that their child is happy.

The school is heavily oversubscribed, with 173 applications for 75 places in the 2025/26 intake, and 71 first-preference applications resulting in 65 offers. That works out at 2.31 applications per place, so getting in is competitive. Facilities include a library, music rooms, art studios, a chapel, playing fields, and a Forest School, with sports ranging from swimming and cricket to gymnastics and cross country. Clubs cover art, drama, choir, chess, eco club and film club. SEND provision is well-developed, with support for dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, physical disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder. The parent view data shows 97% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that SEND children get the support they need. For families in Bristol looking for a Church of England primary with strong academic outcomes, outstanding behaviour ratings, and a clear sense of community, St Johns is a compelling option, though you will need to apply early and be prepared for stiff competition.

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