St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme
91%
Capacity
215
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme
St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Manchester community, welcoming children from age 3 to 11. The school has 215 pupils on roll and is well-filled (91% of 236 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme "Good", the school is led by headteacher Gavin Shortall, it falls under Manchester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 73% 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 3392nd out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 16th out of 122 in Manchester.
St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme is a popular choice with families — it received 45 applications for 20 places, making it 2.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 20 were first-preference applications.
St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.2/5 from 8 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme include Sports Hall, Outdoor Playground, Gymnasium, ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Dance, Rounders, Netball and 3 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Drama, Film Club, Choir and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 46.0%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Manchester, St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme 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 | 3 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Cromwell Range, St James C of E Primary School, Manchester, Manchester, M14 6HW |
| Headteacher | Gavin Shortall |
| Local Authority | Manchester |
| Number of Pupils | 215 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 46.0% |
| School Capacity | 215 / 236 (91% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Jan 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (18 Jan 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 27 Mar 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (73%)
3392nd of 13,686
Nationally
478th of 2,065
In North West
16th of 122
In Manchester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
73%
Expected Standard
7%
Higher Standard
'22/23
63%
'23/24
73%
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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed20
45
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
20 families put this school as their 1st choice (44% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' CofE Primary School, Birch-in-Rusholme
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
Cromwell Range, St James C of E Primary School, Manchester
Manchester, M14 6HW
Cromwell Range, St James C of E Primary School, Manchester
Manchester, M14 6HW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
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