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The School continued to have notable successes in examinations, locally and nationally. In the Religious Knowledge exam in 1902, for candidates entering Church Training Colleges, Harry Johns, a pupil-teacher from this school, headed the list for all England (out of 700 candidates). In the same year the Vicar brought the report of an examination of Senior Scholars. For the seventh time in 9 years a boy from St- Johns' school headed the list. James Huke was the first in the Diocese; Arthur Dyer took 3rd place and Joseph Fink, 5th. Of the pupil-teachers, Fred Mitchell headed the 1^st year list, taking the Bishops Prize and Arthur Beny was 2^nd. An afternoon holiday was given because of Harry Johns’ success.

Some innovations by 1904, were the introduction of fire drills and the checking up on children's employment. The District Council enquired that a list be made up of all the school children employed before or after school hours.

Earlier in this chapter, there was mention of the Marine School. The Royal Marines Light Infantry were stationed a Forton Barracks in Gosport for over 75 years, from 1848 to 1923, in which year the regiment was transferred to Eastney. In 1870 the Forton Marines were allowed to use St. Johns Church for parades and their chaplains assisted at the services. This led to a new idea and once a month services were held at St. John's for ‘Men Only’. When the Marines left Forton in 1923. St. Johns was left with a much diminished congregation. The church also lost helpful members who were capable of leadership and who could help organise social events and fund-raising.