St James Academy
Dudley, DY1 3JE · Dudley · secondary school
Check the area around this school
9th of 18 secondary schools in Dudley we can score, 19 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 — 6.9/10 against 337 of them, against 4.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.0 · 56 | 30% | 1.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.11 · 42 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.6 · 27 | 10% | 0.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St James Academy overview
How it's doing
St James Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2024. In 2024/25, 37.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.11 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 867 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about St James Academy
Overview
St James Academy is described as an “inclusive and welcoming school” where pupils are “courteous and polite.” The report highlights significant improvements in teaching quality and curriculum design since the previous inspection, noting that leaders have invested considerable time in the school’s development.
Strengths
- The curriculum is now “broad and balanced,” with all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, following the same programme.
- Teachers effectively “spot and address pupils’ misconceptions” and use strategies like mini whiteboards to boost confidence and check understanding.
- Reading is “prioritised for all pupils,” supported by specialist programmes for those needing extra help and initiatives like ‘reading for pleasure’.
- The careers programme is a strength, reflecting the ambition of ‘dreaming big’ and ensuring pupils are “well prepared for life after Year 11.”
- Staff feel “proud to have contributed to the school’s development” and appreciate the consideration given to their well-being and workload.
Areas to improve
- The school must further consider how to reduce absence across the school and support pupils in addressing “gaps in their knowledge” caused by irregular attendance.
- Work must be better matched to pupils’ needs to prevent “low-level disruption” and ensure engagement, particularly when tasks are not adapted.
- The school should review extra-curricular activities and seek pupil views to ensure a greater number of pupils benefit from the “breadth of opportunities.”
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.1 |
| 2024/25 | 36.8 |
| 2025/26 | 41.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of DY1 3JE, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT