St James' Catholic Primary School

About St James' Catholic Primary School

St James' Catholic Primary School sits comfortably above the Cumberland local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 67% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the LA average of 54%. That thirteen-point gap places the school in the top quarter of all primary schools in the county — 24th out of 144 — and in the top 50% nationally. The school's Progress 8 data is not available, but the raw attainment scores tell a clear story: average scaled scores of 105 in both reading and maths are solid, and the proportion of pupils hitting the expected standard in maths (87%) is particularly strong. The school also outperforms the LA average for higher-standard attainment, with 27% of pupils reaching the higher bar in reading and 17% in maths. For a small Roman Catholic primary with just 182 pupils, these results suggest consistent teaching across the core subjects, even if writing at the higher standard remains an area where no pupils achieved that top tier in the most recent data.

The school's most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in 2014, rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. An ungraded inspection in June 2023 confirmed that the school remains Good, meaning the quality of education has been sustained over nearly a decade. This is a notable improvement from the previous inspection in 2012, when the school was rated Requires Improvement. The current headteacher, Nerissa Nicholas, leads a school that is oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 33 applications for 24 places, with all 24 first-preference applicants offered a spot. That oversubscription ratio of 1.38 reflects the school's local reputation. The school's Roman Catholic character is woven into its facilities, which include a chapel, and the site also offers a sports hall, library, sensory room and playing fields. Clubs range from book club and gardening to coding and drama, while sports provision covers tennis, athletics, cross country, football and cricket.

For families considering St James', the data paints a picture of a small, faith-based primary that delivers above-average academic outcomes without being selective. The SEND provisions are notably comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, visual impairment, and a resourced provision — so the school is equipped to support a range of additional needs. With 20.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. The lack of nursery provision and sixth form means it is purely a primary school for ages 4 to 11. Parents should be aware that oversubscription is likely, so applying as a first preference is important. The school suits families who value a Catholic ethos, strong core subject results, and a broad range of extracurricular activities within a relatively small, community-focused setting.

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