St James' Church of England Primary School
Wigan, WN3 5XE · Wigan · primary school
Check the area around this school
58th of 97 primary schools in Wigan we can score, 99 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 — 6.8/10 against 661 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 62.0 · 44 | 40% | 1.74 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
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' Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 237 pupils against a stated capacity of 260. 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 maths? What specific steps are taken to maintain the Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St James' Church of England Primary School
Overview
St James’ Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school where pupils are well cared for and safe. Leaders maintain high expectations for conduct and work, resulting in calm, orderly environments where pupils behave well and achieve strongly. The curriculum is carefully organised, with particular success in reading and mathematics, though some inconsistencies remain in other subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils are supported by a ‘go-to person’ for worries, and issues such as bullying are dealt with ‘quickly and effectively’.
- The curriculum is ‘carefully organised’ with learning building in ‘carefully ordered steps’, ensuring pupils become ‘fluent readers’.
- Staff work closely with parents to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, who study the same curriculum as their peers and ‘progress well’.
- There is a ‘strong emphasis on supporting pupils with their mental and physical health and well-being’, including teaching safety concepts for life in modern Britain.
- Staff morale is ‘excellent’, with a ‘united and committed team’ that appreciates manageable workloads.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, teachers do not check that pupils remember key knowledge as well as they should, meaning leaders must ensure teachers encourage pupils to ‘remember key knowledge more effectively’.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders establishing a ‘strong culture of care and keeping pupils safe’ and staff being ‘tenacious in challenging agencies’ when pupils need support.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 47% |
| 2023/24 | 45% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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