About the school
St. John's School is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18 years. It is owned and governed by the Governing Council of the Saint John's School Foundation. Since the previous inspection, the school has opened a Lower School which caters for boys and girls from the age of 11 years. The current head was appointed in September 2017. The school was founded in 1851 to provide an education for the sons, and now daughters, of Anglican Clergy, and moved to Leatherhead in 1872. The Foundation continues to fulfil its original purpose, whilst also admitting many non-clergy pupils.
The Lower School admits pupils in Years 7 and 8, from where they transfer into the Upper School which comprises Years 9 to 11. The sixth form caters for pupils in Years 12 and 13. Boarders are accommodated in a number of single-sex boarding houses on-site.
What the school seeks to do
The school aims to promote academic excellence and a love of learning. It is a Christian foundation and sets out to provide a caring pastoral environment within which each pupil feels supported. Central to its philosophy is the intention to provide co-curricular opportunities and nurture an appreciation of the arts as part of a rounded education. It seeks to enable pupils to develop a sense of leadership, service and personal responsibility. The school intends that pupils become positive, confident and rounded individuals able to face the challenges of adult life.
About the pupils
Pupils come mostly from White British families with professional backgrounds, living within a 15-mile radius of the school. Some weekly boarders come from further afield. Nationally standardised test data provided by the school indicate that the ability of the pupils in the Lower and Upper schools is above average, and the ability profile of the sixth form is broadly average. The number of pupils identified by the school as requiring support for special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND) is 43. None have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care (EHC) plan. Nine pupils have English as an additional language (EAL), one of whom receives one-to-one support. The school has identified 313 pupils as more able, gifted and/or talented. Support for these pupils is provided through differentiation, extension and enrichment activities.
Welcome to St John’s. People are what makes this school special. From the inquisitive, happy children who grow into confident, articulate young adults during their time here, to our talented, dedicated staff who teach, care for and guide our pupils, we know that – together – we achieve more.
