St James Church of England Primary School
Northampton, NN5 7AG · West Northamptonshire · primary school
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59th of 138 primary schools in West Northamptonshire we can score, 147 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 — 8.3/10 against 2,673 of them, against 7.3/10 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 | 69.0 · 63 | 40% | 2.51 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.40 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 19.0 · 90 | 25% | 2.26 |
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 School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 19.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join chess, choir, Green Fingers ECO, Carnival, cookery, film nights, themed discos, and Snack with Santa clubs. Sports include PDET Going for Gold Sports Day. Arts and music features British Sign Language, NMPAT Soundstart, Just Sing, Nativities, end of year performances, Christmas Craft Day, and a Dance Competition. Trips visit the pantomime, Northampton Museum, Saints Rugby ground, University for careers and wellbeing days, Boogie Beats, welly walks, and Sea Life Centre. Both breakfast and after-school clubs operate.
Getting in
The published school roll is 445 pupils against a stated capacity of 450. 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 many places are there in the entry year, and how many families applied last year?
What Ofsted said about St James Church of England Primary School
Overview
St James Church of England Primary School is described as a welcoming and inclusive community where pupils feel safe and enjoy coming to school. The report highlights an "impressive" personal development offer and a culture rooted in care, ambition, and respect, with leaders making every decision with pupils' best interests at heart.
Strengths
- The personal development offer is "impressive," helping pupils develop a "sophisticated understanding of the fundamental British values" and a strong sense of community.
- Pupils achieve well, with disadvantaged pupils often making progress "better than that of their peers nationally" and many achieving higher standards in mathematics.
- Staff provide "high-quality training" and effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, particularly in the 'Ark' and 'PARC' provisions.
- The school fosters a "calm and focused" environment where pupils behave respectfully, enjoy positive relationships with staff, and "do not worry about bullying."
- Leaders have created a supportive culture for staff, who feel "listened to and respected" and benefit from professional learning opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teaching is "consistently high quality" so pupils have meaningful opportunities to move their learning on, particularly regarding foundational knowledge and deepening thinking.
- Leaders should make their evaluation and oversight of school performance "as insightful as possible" to maximise improvements to pupils' outcomes.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 42% |
| 2023/24 | 72% |
| 2024/25 | 69% |
| 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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