St John's Church of England Primary School

About St John's Church of England Primary School

Parents considering St John’s Church of England Primary School in Cheltenham will find a school that is clearly in high demand. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 76 applications for just 14 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 5.43 — meaning more than five families applied for every available spot. Of those, nine put the school as their first preference, and eight received offers. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation among local families, though no parent view data is available to confirm satisfaction directly. The school is a state primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, with a Church of England religious character, and is led by headteacher Victoria Beevers. It currently has 198 pupils on roll, just below its capacity of 203, so it is running close to full. The most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in May 2023, confirmed the school remains Good, a rating it has held consistently across its previous graded inspections.

Academically, St John’s produces mixed results compared with the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 55% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — below the Gloucestershire average of 59%. However, individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: 72% met the expected standard in reading, 72% in writing, and 76% in maths, with maths the strongest area. Higher-standard attainment was more limited: 14% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined. Average scaled scores were 104 in both reading and maths, which is in line with the national average of 100. The school ranks 13th out of 22 primary schools in the Cheltenham local authority area on the combined expected standard metric, placing it in the bottom half of its immediate peers. Nationally, it sits at the 68th percentile among primary schools.

On the practical side, St John’s offers a solid range of facilities including playing fields, a dining hall, an ICT suite, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, cross country, dance, athletics and netball, while extracurricular clubs include science club, gardening, choir, eco club and film club. The school has identified SEND provisions for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With 20.2% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a moderately diverse intake. Given its high oversubscription, families living within the catchment area or with a strong church connection are likely to have the best chance of securing a place. This is a school that suits families who value a community-focused, Church of England primary with a strong local reputation, even if its academic outcomes sit slightly below the LA average.

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