St James' Catholic High School
90%
Capacity
1,254
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About St James' Catholic High School
St James' Catholic High School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Barnet community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,254 pupils on roll and is well-filled (90% of 1,400 places).
Ofsted has rated St James' Catholic High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Anthony Ellul, it falls under Barnet local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.32 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 50.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 798th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 23rd out of 28 in Barnet.
St James' Catholic High School is a popular choice with families — it received 424 applications for 177 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 93 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Catholic High School include Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Gymnasium, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Music Rooms, Science Labs, Dining Hall, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Martial Arts, Football, Rugby and 6 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Film Club, Science Club, Book Club and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 30.0%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Barnet, St James' Catholic High School is one of the options available in the London 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 | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Great Strand, London, Barnet, NW9 5PE |
| Headteacher | Anthony Ellul |
| Local Authority | Barnet |
| Number of Pupils | 1,254 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,254 / 1,400 (90% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 May 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (5 May 2022): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Apr 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.32)
798th of 3,141
Nationally
235th of 487
In London
23rd of 28
In Barnet
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more 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
37.0
'22/23
37.4
'23/24
32.9
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
2025/26Oversubscribed177
424
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
93 families put this school as their 1st choice (22% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' Catholic High 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
Great Strand, London
Barnet, NW9 5PE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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