St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale
112%
Capacity
235
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale
St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the West Lancashire community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 235 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (112% of 210 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale "Good", the school is led by headteacher Angela Blacoe, it falls under Lancashire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 2936th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 48 in West Lancashire.
St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale is a popular choice with families — it received 73 applications for 30 places, making it 2.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 31 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, Severe Learning Difficulty and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale include Outdoor Playground, ICT Suite, Library, Forest School, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Cricket, Swimming, Athletics and 1 more, as well as clubs including Eco Club, Chess, Art Club, Film Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 14.0%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in West Lancashire, St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale 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 | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Ashurst Road, Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, WN8 6TN |
| Headteacher | Angela Blacoe |
| Local Authority | Lancashire |
| Number of Pupils | 235 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 14.0% |
| School Capacity | 235 / 210 (112% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Apr 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (74%)
2936th of 13,686
Nationally
415th of 2,065
In North West
9th of 48
In West Lancashire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
74%
Expected Standard
15%
Higher Standard
'22/23
58%
'23/24
74%
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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
73
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
31 families put this school as their 1st choice (42% 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, Skelmersdale
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
Ashurst Road, Skelmersdale
West Lancashire, WN8 6TN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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