St James' Church of England Aided Junior School
Derby, DE23 8FQ · Derby · primary school
Check the area around this school
36th of 59 primary schools in Derby we can score, 74 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 — 5.1/10 against 668 of them, against 3.4/10 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 | 46.0 · 14 | 40% | 0.55 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
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' Church of England Aided Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 46.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 10.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join sewing, cooking and junk modelling clubs, and play dodgeball, nerf, lacrosse, tag rugby, volleyball and handball. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 299 pupils against a stated capacity of 300. 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 who are below the expected standard in literacy? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in maths? How does the school manage the transition for children moving to secondary education?
What Ofsted said about St James' Church of England Aided Junior School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils ‘GROW’ and are helped to ‘give thanks, remember manners, only do their best and to wear a smile.’ Leadership and management are judged ‘Outstanding’, with a ‘clear and determined vision’ that drives ‘tangible and sustained improvements.’ The school is ‘highly cohesive’, with positive relationships and a broad curriculum that helps pupils make links across subjects.
Strengths
- Leadership is ‘exemplary’, with leaders who ‘know their school well’ and act quickly to improve.
- The curriculum is ‘well thought through’, building incrementally and helping pupils ‘make links between what they have learned across different subjects.’
- Reading is prioritised effectively; phonics is ‘taught consistently well’, and books are ‘closely matched to the sounds that they know.’
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities ‘do well’, supported by ‘precise and measurable’ targets and individual plans.
- Personal development is ‘rich’, underpinned by a well-planned RSHE curriculum and experiences like the ‘St James’ 40’.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must ‘accurately assess how well pupils learn the curriculum in lessons’ and address misconceptions, as some do not check closely enough on learning.
- The school must continue to tackle ‘persistent absenteeism’, as ‘too many pupils still miss too much school’, resulting in a ‘fragmented education.’
Safeguarding
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 | 51% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 46% |
| 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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