St James Church of England Primary Academy
Rochester, ME3 0BS · Medway · primary school
Check the area around this school
51st of 56 primary schools in Medway we can score, 76 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 1.2/10 against 2,421 of them, against 1.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 38.0 · 7 | 40% | 0.27 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
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 Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 176 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 core subjects? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in reading and writing? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing current performance gaps?
What Ofsted said about St James Church of England Primary Academy
Overview
St James Church of England Primary Academy continues to be a good school, offering a nurturing and ambitious environment where pupils are proud to meet high expectations. The report highlights a thriving community with kind relationships, effective leadership, and strong outcomes in mathematics and early years provision.
Strengths
- Pupils display "kind, polite and respectful" relationships and take pride in their roles, such as serving as school ambassadors.
- Mathematics teaching is "strong across the school," with pupils achieving "significantly above national average" and confidently explaining their reasoning.
- The curriculum is planned with "high ambition," featuring clear learning sequences that help pupils build deep understanding in subjects like history.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "achieve well" due to expert collaboration between staff, parents, and external agencies.
- Staff morale is high, with teachers described as "proud, happy and highly supported," and no concerns regarding workload or well-being.
Areas to improve
- Ensure all pupils achieve success in phonics and reading, as previous achievement was lower than national averages and some remain "not fully secure in early reading."
- Extend work to ensure vocabulary is "precisely taught and embedded across the curriculum," as pupils do not always know the correct words to explain their learning.
- Continue efforts to improve attendance for the small number of pupils who have been "persistently absent" since the pandemic.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff using procedures effectively and leaders working tirelessly with agencies to support families.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 55% |
| 2023/24 | 76% |
| 2024/25 | 38% |
| 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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