St James' Catholic High School
London, NW9 5PE · Barnet · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st of 28 secondary schools in Barnet we can score. 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 — 8.6/10 against 726 of them, against 7.1/10 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 | 34% | 1.79 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.8 · 68 | 30% | 2.09 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.32 · 74 | 25% | 1.88 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.4 · 71 | 10% | 0.72 |
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' Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.32 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a breakfast club and an after-school club, and the school organises a ski trip to Les Deux Alpes.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,243 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 maintain their progress from Key Stage 3 to 4? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support student wellbeing?
What Ofsted said about St James' Catholic High School
Overview
St James’ Catholic High School is described as a “caring and inclusive school” where pupils feel safe and behave respectfully. The inspection confirms that the school continues to be good, with leaders ensuring a “calm and purposeful learning environment” and staff demonstrating strong subject knowledge.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “delivered consistently well” with a “carefully thought through” order of learning, leading to pupils having a “secure grasp” of concepts.
- Staff possess “expert subject knowledge,” particularly in the sixth form, and use effective strategies to check pupil retention.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “supported well” and access the same curriculum as their peers.
- There is a “very well-planned programme” for personal development, including careers education and opportunities for leadership roles.
- Governors “know the school very well” and provide appropriate support and challenge to leaders.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure Year 9 pupils study all national curriculum subjects in sufficient breadth and depth, as they currently do not.
- Leaders should ensure pupils needing additional reading support attend support sessions regularly, as current attendance is insufficient for swift improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding” established where staff are fully trained and pupils feel comfortable reporting concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.7 |
| 2024/25 | 51.4 |
| 2025/26 | 50.4 |
| 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 NW9 5PE, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT