St James Church School
Taunton, TA1 1XU · Somerset · primary school
Check the area around this school
138th of 156 primary schools in Somerset we can score, 219 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 the 3,300 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6/10 among them, against 2.2/10 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 | 49.0 · 17 | 62% | 1.06 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 38% | 1.13 |
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 School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 3.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6 out of 10 among them, against 2.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 479 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard in core subjects? How are the breakfast and after-school clubs structured to support daily routines?
What Ofsted said about St James Church School
Overview
St James Church School is described as an "inclusive and welcoming" environment where pupils are "proud to attend" and behave well. The report highlights that staff have "high expectations for all pupils," resulting in a calm atmosphere where children are safe and keen to learn. The school is currently emerging from a period of significant staffing and curriculum changes, which have been managed sensitively by the trust and leadership team.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "strong knowledge" in established subjects like geography, discussing cultural differences and physical features in detail.
- Reading is central to the curriculum, with early years staff using engaging methods like puppets to "foster a love of books from an early age."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "well supported," with needs identified quickly to allow them to learn the full curriculum alongside peers.
- Personal development is a strength, with the school celebrating its "multicultural diversity" and pupils learning to be "active and responsible citizens."
- Behaviour management has improved significantly, leading to a "significant reduction in the number of behavioural incidents and suspensions."
Areas to improve
- The trust must ensure all staff are supported to deliver the phonics programme successfully, as some staff are still developing expertise, causing some pupils to not learn to read "as quickly as they could."
- The trust should develop and embed the curriculum in subjects that are still developing to address "gaps in their knowledge and understanding" left by the previous curriculum.
Safeguarding
The report states that "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 | 22% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 49% |
| 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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