Kettleshulme St James CofE (VA) Primary School
Kettleshulme. High Peak, SK23 7QU · Cheshire East · primary school
Check the area around this school
71st of 114 primary schools in Cheshire East we can score, 124 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,254 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3/10 among them, against 4.3/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 44.0 · 12 | 40% | 0.47 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 22.0 · 94 | 25% | 2.35 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Kettleshulme St James CofE (VA) Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A further 22.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3 out of 10 among them, against 4.3 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 66 pupils against a stated capacity of 63. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard in literacy? How does the curriculum adapt for the 22.0% of pupils who achieve the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about Kettleshulme St James CofE (VA) Primary School
Overview
This ungraded inspection confirms that Kettleshulme St James CofE (VA) Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school continues to provide a welcoming environment where pupils value their community and develop strong relationships. While the curriculum is well-defined, there are inconsistencies in how confidently it is delivered across all subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils thrive in a “welcoming school community,” developing “strong and positive relationships” and resilience through outdoor learning.
- Reading is “at the heart of the school’s curriculum,” with staff delivering phonics “consistently well” and pupils becoming “fluent and accurate readers.”
- The school provides “effective support” for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who “achieve well.”
- Personal development is a strength, with pupils building “confidence and independence” and engaging in leadership roles.
- Staff receive “unswerving support” to ensure their workload is manageable.
Areas to improve
- Teachers lack familiarity with the “newly introduced wider curriculums” compared to reading and mathematics, leading to variability in how well pupils build knowledge in some subjects.
- Governors need to strengthen their expertise in holding leaders to account, as they do not always check “carefully enough” how consistently agreed policies are implemented.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 44% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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