King James's School
89%
Capacity
1,522
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About King James's School
King James's School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the North Yorkshire community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,522 pupils on roll and is well-filled (89% of 1,705 places).
Ofsted has rated King James's School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Miriam Oakley, it falls under North Yorkshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.15 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.1. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1901st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 27th out of 39 in North Yorkshire.
King James's School is a popular choice with families — it received 496 applications for 258 places, making it 1.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 245 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at King James's School include Theatre, ICT Suite, Library, Science Labs, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Music Rooms, Tennis Courts, Art Studios, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Gymnastics, Athletics, Hockey, Football and 6 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Newspaper, Gardening, Science Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.5%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in North Yorkshire, King James's School is one of the options available in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | King James Road, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8EB |
| Headteacher | Miriam Oakley |
| Local Authority | North Yorkshire |
| Number of Pupils | 1,522 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,522 / 1,705 (89% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Jan 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 17 Jan 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.15)
1901st of 3,141
Nationally
174th of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
27th of 39
In North Yorkshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
39.3
'22/23
33.9
'23/24
33.3
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed258
496
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
245 families put this school as their 1st choice (49% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About King James's School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
King James Road, Knaresborough
North Yorkshire, HG5 8EB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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