Ofsted Report
In March 2022, Ofsted visited St James CofE Primary and we are very proud to announce that the inspection has assessed our school as Good.
There is much to be celebrated about our fantastic school and we are proud of the following findings:
- Pupils are happy and safe at school; they enjoy learning, including visits and workshops both in school and the local area; and they are active citizens in their school community through support for the local foodbank and raising money for charity as well as having the opportunity to take on leadership roles including house captains, rights respecting leaders, science technicians or school counsellors
- Inspectors noted that the children are well-behaved and know how to keep themselves and each other safe
- Governors and the leadership team have high expectations for all the pupils. They have made sure that curriculum leaders identify what pupils need to know to be successful in the future
- Leaders and staff get to know each child, expecting and encouraging them to work hard and achieve their best
- Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that allows the children to develop their understanding across and within subjects
- The teaching of Early Years reading which came out as a particular strength of the school, with the staff who teach early reading seen as confident and knowledgeable at teaching phonics
- The Inspectors praised the progress the children had made and their clear love of and enthusiasm for reading
- The investments we have made in our teachers and resources to support a rich and diverse reading curriculum, including ensuring that reading resources reflect the rich, cultural diversity of modern Britain
- Inspectors noted that our teaching of science is ambitious with high level objectives and clarity of learning
- Maths is taught well, the children are engaged and well supported
- Staff quickly identify any children who have fallen behind or are not on track to achieve expected progress or attainment so that they catch up and keep up
- Staff support the small proportion of children with SEND well, helping them to be successful and keep up and make progress in line with their peers
- The school promotes pupils’ artistic and cultural skills
Moving forward, our focus as a school will be on planning to deepening our children’s understanding in Early Years even further.
You can read our full Ofsted report here.
You can use find my school for reports and a link to Ofsted.
SIAMS Report
We are pleased to share the outcome of our SIAMS inspection (February 2026) which focuses on one central question: How effective is the school’s distinctive Christian vision, established and promoted by leadership at all levels, in enabling pupils and adults to flourish?
We are proud to confirm that our school is living up to its foundation as a Church school and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish.
Notable strengths at St James Primary
The inspection identified significant strengths which truly reflect our ethos and the lived reality of our school community:
- Our Christian vision is clearly expressed through the school's actions and decision-making. ‘Encourage one another’ is reflected in the work of leaders, including governors, and helps the school’s development. This includes through partnerships and ensuring staff have access to high-quality professional development.
- Our leaders ensure that the curriculum is carefully planned to develop pupils’ confidence and self-belief. Underpinned by the values, wisdom, joy and perseverance, the personal development of each pupil is prioritised. Pupils flourish because they are enabled and equipped to grow in confidence.
- Our school's culture of ‘believing in ourselves and believing in each other’ drives the ethos of nurture, inclusion and belonging. The Christian vision and values are evident in the systems and structures in place. As a result, staff and pupils feel cared for and supported.
- Our partnerships are an expression of the vision impacting positively and reciprocally on the life of the school. Collaboration with the church, the diocese and with other schools strengthens the experiences of adults and pupils.
Throughout the report, what shines through most clearly is the confidence, joy and sense of belonging experienced by our pupils. Inspectors saw a school where children are loved, encouraged, celebrated and equipped to grow — academically, socially and spiritually.
Looking Ahead
The report confirms what we already know and experience daily: that St James Primary is a nurturing, aspirational and values-driven school community. We are extremely proud of this recognition, and we remain committed to continuous improvement and to ensuring that every child continues to flourish.
We are grateful to our dedicated staff team, to our governors for their support and challenge, and to you — our parents and carers — for your partnership. Most importantly, we thank our wonderful pupils, who live out our vision every day by encouraging one another and building each other up.
Enjoy reading the full report which is attached. It is a celebration of all that makes St James such a special place to learn, grow and flourish.
You can read our full SIAMS report and our development points here.
