Welcome to St John’s Church of England Primary School, Tisbury

I 

A very warm welcome to St John's!

It is a real privilege to be the Headteacher of St John's, a wonderful village school nestled in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, where children are at the heart of everything we do.

I believe that primary school should be a special time in a child's life. A time to discover, explore, make friendships, develop confidence and, most importantly, develop a lifelong love of learning. Every child deserves to feel happy, safe, valued and excited about coming to school each day.

At St John's, we are fortunate to have something rather special. We are a small school with a big heart, where every child is known as an individual, relationships really matter and there is a genuine sense of family and belonging. Our beautiful grounds, including our Forest School, pond, allotment and extensive outdoor spaces, provide wonderful opportunities for children to explore, be curious, take risks and learn beyond the classroom.

The ambition is simple: for every child to feel that they belong, to believe in themselves and to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

I am passionate about providing an education that combines high expectations with kindness, nurture and understanding. I believe that children thrive when they feel secure, when their successes are celebrated and when they are encouraged to persevere, challenge themselves and have a go, even when things feel difficult.

We want our children to be confident, curious and independent learners who are not afraid to ask questions, make mistakes or think differently. Through high-quality teaching, a rich and engaging curriculum and meaningful experiences, we aim to inspire every child to discover their strengths, develop new interests and achieve their very best.

Equally important to me is children's emotional wellbeing. We recognise that every child is unique and that children arrive at school with different experiences, strengths and needs. Our inclusive and nurturing approach means that we take time to understand each child, helping them develop the confidence, resilience and emotional skills they need to flourish, both in school and in the wider world.

As a Church of England school, our Christian ethos is woven through everyday school life. Our core values of Kindness, Honesty, Perseverance, Respect and Responsibility help shape the way we learn, behave and care for one another. We want our children not only to achieve academically, but also to grow into thoughtful, compassionate and responsible young people who understand the difference they can make in the world.

One of the greatest strengths of St John's is our community. I firmly believe that the best outcomes for children happen when school and home work together. I value open, honest communication and positive relationships with parents and carers. We want families to feel welcome, listened to and involved in their child's school journey. We are also proud of our strong links with the church, our village and the wider community, which enrich the experiences we can offer our children.

Alongside our dedicated staff and governors, I am excited about continuing to develop St John's, building on everything that makes our school special while always looking for ways to make it even better. We will celebrate our successes, embrace new opportunities and never stop asking ourselves what more we can do for the children in our care.

Above all, St John's is a place where childhood is celebrated, learning is exciting, everyone belongs and every child has the opportunity to shine.

Of course, a website can only tell you so much about a school. The best way to understand what makes St John's special is to come and experience it for yourself. I would be delighted to welcome you, show you around and introduce you to the wonderful children and staff who make our school what it is.

I look forward to meeting you.

Mrs Lisa Ashford-Smith NPQH, NPQLBC 

DSL / SENCo
Headteacher

Our School Vision

The school aims to be an inspiring, safe and inclusive place, where ALL within can thrive.