A Stoke-on-Trent school where staff set high expectations for pupils has seen behaviour improve "significantly", Ofsted inspectors have said.

St John's CofE Primary School in Trent Vale was found to have a "harmonious atmosphere", with children keen to learn and "a strong sense of belonging", the inspection report, which was published this month, revealed.

The school was assessed by Ofsted under the new grading system at the start of this year. It met expected standards in attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, early years, inclusion, leadership and governance and personal development and wellbeing.

Achievement was found to need attention however.

The report said: "Pupils who arrive at the school at times other than in Reception Year do not experience and benefit from the full curriculum. This affects the outcomes of these pupils and how well they achieve.

"Outcomes in writing remain stubbornly low. Leaders have addressed this with the implementation of a structured writing programme.

"Pupils who have experienced this curriculum in full are achieving well in writing. However, many pupils still have gaps in important writing knowledge because of previous inconsistencies with the curriculum – teaching has not helped pupils to close these gaps as effectively as it could.

"Leaders should ensure that the teaching of important knowledge and skills in writing enables pupils who have gaps in their writing knowledge to improve the quality of their writing.

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"Leaders should further ensure that subject leaders support staff to deliver the curriculum effectively so that all pupils achieve well in every subject."

Inspectors reported that school leaders had "strengthened the English and mathematics curriculum so pupils build knowledge securely over time", however. And staff typically address gaps in pupils' reading and mathematical knowledge well.

The report said: "Leaders ensure staff know how to deliver the curriculum as expected; this work is rooted in educational research.

"They expect pupils to secure strong foundations for learning across the curriculum, with a clear emphasis on language and vocabulary development (and) broadly pupils do secure this knowledge.

"Leaders at St John's Primary aspire for pupils to 'live life to its fullest'; they set high expectations for pupils' learning, behaviour and personal development. For the most part, pupils rise to these high aspirations.

"Behaviour has improved significantly since the previous inspection (and) pupils behave well in lessons and at social times. They say that one of the best things about their school is that 'everyone is kind'.

"Warm, positive relationships help staff get to know pupils quickly, which matters because many pupils join or leave at different points in their education. Bullying is extremely rare and staff deal with it effectively.

"There is a particularly harmonious atmosphere across the school. Learning is rarely disrupted and pupils are focused and keen to learn in lessons."

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Headteacher Susan Bowyer said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our incredible pupils, parents and committed team of staff and governors for their contributions to our positive outcomes and dedication.

"We are immensely proud of our school community in making St John's such a welcoming and flourishing place to be each and every day.

"This was summed up by one of our pupils when they told the inspectors, 'It doesn't matter who is in it, everyone is family.'"