St John's Church of England Primary School

About St John's Church of England Primary School

Parents at St John's Church of England Primary School are overwhelmingly positive about their experience. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering September 2024 to September 2025, a remarkable 99% of respondents said they would recommend the school to other parents. That confidence is backed up by strong individual scores: 88% strongly agreed that their child is happy at the school, and 89% strongly agreed that their child feels safe. The school is clearly a popular choice locally. For the 2025/26 intake, it received 80 applications for just 30 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.67. Of those, 37 families put it as their first preference, and all 30 first-preference applicants were offered a place. The school's Church of England character is woven into its identity, and it has a chapel on site, though the data doesn't specify how this shapes daily life. With 205 pupils on roll against a capacity of 210, the school is running close to full, which fits with its oversubscribed status.

Academically, St John's performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an East Sussex average of 59%. The school ranks 7th out of 48 primary schools in the Wealden local authority area, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Average scores in reading and maths both came in at 106, which is above the national benchmark of 100. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in maths was 37%, while in reading it was 23% and in writing 7%. Ofsted last inspected the school in March 2025 and rated it Good across all areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. The previous graded inspection, back in 2011, also rated the school Good overall, so the school has maintained a consistent standard over time.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including a gymnasium, sports hall, library, music rooms, and playing fields. Sports on offer include football, cricket, tennis, netball, athletics, dance, and cross country, while clubs include art, coding, chess, and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. In the Parent View survey, 50% of respondents strongly agreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, though 6% disagreed and 6% strongly disagreed. With 6.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school's intake is less disadvantaged than many. Given its strong academic results, high parent satisfaction, and oversubscribed status, this is a school that suits families who value a Church of England primary with a strong community feel and consistent outcomes.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About St John's Church of England Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents