Sankey Valley St James Church of England Primary School
Warrington, WA5 1XE · Warrington · primary school
Check the area around this school
22nd of 57 primary schools in Warrington we can score, 69 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.8/10 against 1,802 of them, against 7.5/10 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 | 75.0 · 78 | 42% | 3.29 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 31% | 1.63 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 26% | 1.87 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sankey Valley St James Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 11.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2021. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join guitar, ukulele, piano, and drum clubs, or participate in yoga, tennis, football, dance, and netball. The school also offers forest school trips and an after-school club.
Getting in
Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child joining the after-school club? How has the teaching approach changed since the 2021 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Sankey Valley St James Church of England Primary School
Overview
Sankey Valley St James Church of England Primary School is described as a "calm, safe and welcoming place where pupils love to learn." The report confirms that the school "continues to be a good school," noting that pupils achieve well and talk confidently about their learning. Leaders have maintained a strong focus on pupils’ wider development and well-being, ensuring an inclusive environment for all.
Strengths
- Leaders have designed an "ambitious curriculum" with clear expectations, enabling teachers to focus on essential learning without wasting time catching up after pandemic restrictions.
- Pupils develop "secure reading knowledge" through skilled phonics teaching and enjoy reading, which prepares them well for other subjects.
- Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including adapting the indoor environment for those with autism spectrum disorder.
- Pupils behave well, uphold school values, and are "supportive and considerate of others," contributing positively to school life and the wider community.
Areas to improve
- Leaders and governors need to return to "previous high-quality checks" on curriculum delivery, as the pandemic reduced their ability to monitor how well staff are implementing the planned curriculum.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," with well-trained staff who are vigilant in identifying pupils needing extra support and work closely with external agencies to ensure safety.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 76% |
| 2023/24 | 74% |
| 2024/25 | 75% |
| 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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