St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell
88%
Capacity
371
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell
St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Wigan community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 371 pupils on roll and is well-filled (88% of 420 places).
Ofsted has rated St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell "Good", the school is led by headteacher Gary Hayes, it falls under Wigan local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 87% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — well above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 546th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 98 in Wigan.
St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell is a popular choice with families — it received 103 applications for 40 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 40 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell include Library, Outdoor Playground, Dining Hall, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics and 1 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Drama, Art Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 10.8%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Wigan, St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell is one of the options available in the North West 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 | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | St James Road, Wigan, Wigan, WN5 7AA |
| Headteacher | Gary Hayes |
| Local Authority | Wigan |
| Number of Pupils | 371 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 10.8% |
| School Capacity | 371 / 420 (88% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (17 Feb 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 11 May 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (87%)
546th of 13,686
Nationally
80th of 2,065
In North West
7th of 98
In Wigan
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
87%
Expected Standard
13%
Higher Standard
'22/23
84%
'23/24
87%
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
8Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed40
103
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
40 families put this school as their 1st choice (39% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' Catholic Primary School Orrell
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
St James Road, Wigan
Wigan, WN5 7AA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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