St James' Church of England Primary Academy
96%
Capacity
404
Pupils
2.9x
Demand
About St James' Church of England Primary Academy
St James' Church of England Primary Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 404 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (96% of 420 places).
Ofsted has rated St James' Church of England Primary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Alastair Brown, it falls under Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 4934th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 20th out of 50 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
St James' Church of England Primary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 160 applications for 56 places, making it 2.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 45 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Church of England Primary Academy include Library, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Athletics, Gymnastics, Swimming and 1 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, Book Club, Science Club, Chess and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 15.1%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, St James' Church of England Primary Academy is one of the options available in the South 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 | Church of England |
| Address | Pokesdown Hill, Bournemouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH7 6DW |
| Headteacher | Alastair Brown |
| Local Authority | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Number of Pupils | 404 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 15.1% |
| School Capacity | 404 / 420 (96% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
25 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (25 Jan 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 22 Apr 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (68%)
4934th of 13,686
Nationally
444th of 1,469
In South West
20th of 50
In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
68%
Expected Standard
10%
Higher Standard
'22/23
67%
'23/24
68%
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
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed56
160
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
45 families put this school as their 1st choice (28% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' Church of England Primary Academy
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
Pokesdown Hill, Bournemouth
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH7 6DW
Pokesdown Hill, Bournemouth
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH7 6DW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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