Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School
98%
Capacity
469
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School
Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Oxford community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 469 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 480 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Stephen Dew, it falls under Oxfordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 56% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 9182nd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 20th out of 31 in Oxford.
Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 138 applications for 58 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 57 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School include Library, Sports Hall, Forest School, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Rounders, Athletics, Football and 3 more, as well as clubs including Art Club, Drama, Gardening, Eco Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 26.9%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Oxford, Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Bartholomew Road, Oxford, Oxford, OX4 3QH |
| Headteacher | Stephen Dew |
| Local Authority | Oxfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 469 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 26.9% |
| School Capacity | 469 / 480 (98% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
20 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (20 Sept 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 1 May 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (56%)
9182nd of 13,686
Nationally
1367th of 2,034
In South East
20th of 31
In Oxford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
56%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
57%
'23/24
56%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed58
138
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
57 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Church Cowley St James Church of England Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Bartholomew Road, Oxford
Oxford, OX4 3QH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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