Why choose St John's?
Choosing Dean Close St John's is about giving children the joy of childhood, the confidence to grow and the freedom to discover their potential.
At St John's, our small size is one of our greatest strengths. We know every child as an individual, providing the support, encouragement and care they need to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
We nurture curiosity, creativity and independence, helping children develop a lifelong love of learning. In a safe and supportive environment, they are encouraged to explore their interests, build resilience and thrive.
Rooted in Christian values, kindness is at the heart of everything we do. We aim to develop confident learners, faithful friends and compassionate leaders who are ready to make a positive impact on the world.
At Dean Close St John's, education is about more than academic success. It's about helping every child flourish.
Inspiring Setting, Ideal Location
Situated at the top of Tutshill with stunning views of the historic Chepstow Castle, St John’s School enjoys a truly unique and inspiring setting.
The school is just minutes from the M4 motorway, offering easy access to Cardiff (45 min), Newport (30 min), Bristol (25 min), and even London, with Heathrow Airport just 1 hour 50 minutes away.
With this ideal balance of tranquillity and connectivity, St John’s is perfectly placed for both peaceful learning and convenient travel.
Dean Close DNA
Since 2015, St John’s School has been proud to be part of the Dean Close Foundation, sharing the same values and educational ethos.
Being part of the Foundation not only provides financial stability, but also opens the door to a broader range of opportunities for our pupils, including access to specialist programmes and a wider network of schools.
Across all ages, the curriculum has weaved within it five key skills for the future, known as the 5Cs: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, compassion, communication. These will enable our pupils to have the flexibility, resilience and confidence to enter the world of work, knowing that the jobs they will do, in many cases, are ones we cannot currently imagine.
These specific skills have been chosen to help our pupils flourish in the widest sense of the word; careers and future employability are vital, but we also want to enable them to live out our core values of courage and love, contributing to their communities, long after they have moved on from Dean Close.
The range of experiences, opportunities and the ethos delivered at School through the values and skills, when fitted together, form a DNA profile which makes every pupil’s experience distinctly Dean Close.
Why parents choose Dean Close St John’s School
- Family-feel school with excellent pastoral support
With around 120 pupils from Kindergarten to 8, Dean Close St John's feels like home, offering exceptional pastoral care within our close-knit community.
- Small class sizes
This means every child is well known and supported individually, allowing us to work around each child’s needs.
- Inclusive
We encourage every child to participate in their engagement with academic learning and extra-curricular activities.
- Excellent wraparound care
We provide care from 7:30am to 5:50pm as part of the school day, giving families peace of mind and children a safe, supportive environment throughout the day.
- Forest Adventures
We are a school that values childhood with a focus on being outdoors and exploration.
- Bus routes
Two bus routes for daily pick-up and drop-off, operated by our own minibuses and reliable, experienced DCSJ drivers.
- Flexible Boarding options
1, 2, 3, or 4-night packages are available for regular weekly bookings, with occasional bookings also welcome.
- Scholarships
11+ scholarships available, which can continue on to Dean Close School, Cheltenham.
- A unique location
Beautiful and historic, close to the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean, nestling on the border of England and Wales with Bristol (25 minutes) Cardiff (42 minutes), Newport (30 mins) and Monmouth (35 minutes) on the doorstep, with school buses servicing these areas.
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