St James' CofE Academy
91%
Capacity
192
Pupils
2.7x
Demand
About St James' CofE Academy
St James' CofE Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Bedford community, welcoming children from age 5 to 11. The school has 192 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated St James' CofE Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Alison Barden, it falls under Bedford local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 52% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 10133rd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 29th out of 46 in Bedford.
St James' CofE Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 80 applications for 30 places, making it 2.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 24 were first-preference applications.
St James' CofE Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 92% recommending the school (71 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), 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' CofE Academy include ICT Suite, Art Studios, Sports Hall, Music Rooms, Playing Fields, Library, Dining Hall, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Tennis, Football, Gymnastics, as well as clubs including Chess, Choir, Eco Club, Book Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 19.3%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Bedford, St James' CofE Academy is one of the options available in the East of England 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 | 5 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Main Road, Bedford, Bedford, MK40 4BD |
| Headteacher | Alison Barden |
| Local Authority | Bedford |
| Number of Pupils | 192 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.3% |
| School Capacity | 192 / 210 (91% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Feb 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (5 Feb 2025): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 24 Apr 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (52%)
10133rd of 13,686
Nationally
1120th of 1,612
In East of England
29th of 46
In Bedford
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
52%
Expected Standard
6%
Higher Standard
'22/23
71%
'23/24
52%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
71 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
80
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
24 families put this school as their 1st choice (30% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' CofE 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
Main Road, Bedford
Bedford, MK40 4BD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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